A DERELICT and vandalised empty church is an eyesore and a hazard to children, say concerned local residents.

The "disgraceful" state of the former Sydney Street Methodist Church, in Clayton-le-Moors, came under fire at a public meeting.

The meeting was organised by Rennie Pinder, chairman of Altham, Enfield and Huncoat Conservative Association, to discuss problems in the Enfield area which he described as a "twilight zone" forgotten by Hyndburn Council.

Mr Pinder said: "Not only is it an eyesore and being used as a dumping ground, but it is the sort of place that attracts youngsters and there are bricks that are unsafe.

"Are we going to have to wait for someone to be injured or killed before something is done about it?" Hyndburn Council Tory Group leader, Coun Peter Britcliffe, who was at the meeting, has now written to the council asking if it is possible to clean up and make the site safe in the short term, and whether the council can come up with any long-term solution.

Coun Britcliffe said: "The walls are falling down and have been vandalised, a young girl has fallen down an open grate and large amounts of rubbish have been dumped, including nappies."

The premises were sold by the Methodist Church around 10 years ago when it moved to a chapel across the road.

Minister, the Rev Stanley Pipe, said: "I believe the premises have been sold once or twice since, but I have no idea who the present owners are."

Only a fortnight ago, he sent back a council bill for boarding-up at the building.

Mr Pipe, who shares local concern about the eyesore, said: "The vandalism is dreadful. I'm frightened to death kids are going to get inside and something fall on them."

A spokeswoman for Hyndburn Council said they had received Coun Britcliffe's letter and would be investigating.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.