A YOUTH club and Catholic centre which has served the community for over 50 years could be forced to close if a controversial bail hostel is given the go-ahead.

Lancashire County Council have appealed to Blackburn with Darwen Council for permission to site the 26-room centre in Clayton Street, Blackburn, an area already plagued by prostitutes and drug users. A meeting attended by members of the West End Youth Club and Community Centre heard fears that the residents could include convicted sex offenders.

Club chairman George Pearce said: "Large groups of young people use the centre for a variety of activities and it is akin to siting the proposed hostel next to a school.

"It would only take one incident for parents to stop sending their youngsters to the club and then we would be forced to close. "The probation service has admitted that residents could include convicted sex offenders and we have asked them to reconsider their application in light of the public safety issue raised."

West End management committee now plans further representations to Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw, who stepped in to help residents of Sumner Street block earlier plans to build another bail hostel.

Objections to the Clayton Street hostel have also been lodged by the Salvation Army, nearby residents, a local businessman and historians who claim graves from a neighbouring chapel could be affected by building work.

Mr Pearce added: "If the application is granted it will be a kick in the teeth for the voluntary sector and could possibly mark the closure of West End Community centre.

"The centre is the only surviving Catholic youth club in the area and has been in existence for more than 50 years."

The meeting was attended by Chief Probation Officer John Crawforth, a magistrate, West End committee members and representatives of six organisations based in the centre.

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