VANDALS have forced council bosses to close a road safety centre - leaving a safe driving organisation homeless.

The gates at Ewood Road Safety training Centre, Blackburn, next to an official gipsy site were shut following a campaign of vandalism over the last 18 months.

In the latest attack, vandals smashed boarded windows and kicked in doors at the centre's observation building.

The County Council-run centre is the home of Lancashire's skid pan. It is used by council staff, companies and motoring associations for road safety training.

The closure has angered members of Blackburn Area Road Safety Association, which has been left homeless.

The club has used the observation building for its weekly meetings since it was opened 25 years ago.

Chairman Ross Heron said: "It is disgraceful that vandals have pushed us out after 25 years.

"We arrived the other evening for a meeting to find the building had been vandalised. "They smashed the boards over the windows, which had been fitted after the last attack.

"There have been various bits of vandalism over the last 18 months.

"It is very sad that the council has been forced to abandon the centre."

The club is asking Blackburn with Darwen Council for help to find new premises.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said the decision had been taken to avoid putting staff at risk following repeated vandalism and trespassing at the centre.

He added that the centre would remain closed until further notice.

Detective Sgt Peter Broome, of Blackburn CID, said: "The latest incident has been reported and is being actively investigated."

He said several other incidents at the centre had been reported.

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