PENSIONERS in a 'threatened' sheltered housing complex have issued a bring back our warden call to councillors.

Residents at Gerald Court, Burnley, have signed a 42-name petition demanding the town hall appoint a new resident warden to offer them help and protection from unauthorised intruders.

The complex has been without warden cover since the last post-holder, Adele Dickinson, left the post nearly seven months ago.

Council officers say no decision will be made until a full review of sheltered housing management is complete.

But residents' champion Harry Brooks, says this is not good enough and is calling for an immediate appointment.

He says residents' morale is at rock bottom because they feel the council has adopted a cavalier attitude to their plight.

In a letter to council managers he says Mrs Dickinson exemplified the duties of resident warden, acting as adviser, friend, security screen protector and security manager for all householders.

"They are currently without that valuable advice and protection and are subject to an unacceptable lack of security, manifested particularly by the ease with which unauthorised persons malinger in the environs and even gain access to the building."

He goes on: "The availability of help via the central control system is a pathetically inadequate substitute for a permanent warden."

Coun Brooks says the job must be filled without delay, with the council taking action to attract a decent field of candidates.

The petition is expected to be received and discussed at the next meeting of the council's housing committee.

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