A FURIOUS council official threatened to leave a heated public meeting about controversial proposals to build a high density estate in Tockholes.

Blackburn planning officer Peter Kuit said he would "much rather be having his tea" than taking abuse from the 250 villagers crammed into the village hall.

The proposal to build 55 houses in a meadow at the top of Long Lane, outlined in the council's district plan, sparked fury among villagers.

They formed an action group to fight the development.

Tempers were further stretched when dozens of "Save Tockholes From The Developer" signs displayed by householders in protest against the plan were sprayed with black paint, 24 hours before the meeting.

A lone, hooded woman was caught on camera as she vandalised a placade outside a house window near the Victoria Inn.

Villagers organised a hot reception for town planners at the public meeting.

Brandishing 'Hands off Tockholes' banners, they erupted into deafening chants of "We don't want them" as Mr Kuit prepared to speak.

After 30 minutes of angry outbursts and random questions the meeting finally got under way.

Mr Kuit stressed that the plan for more homes was in no way "set in concrete." The council merely wanted to decide on the best possible future for the village.

He said another idea was to grant green belt status to the area to prevent further developments.

After the meeting Tockholes Parish Council voted in favour of green belt status for the village and to support moves to discard plans for more homes.

Vice-chairman Adrian Rigby said: "I have never seen so many villagers from all different age groups united to fight one campaign. It shows the strength of their feelings."

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