A BUSINESSMAN has vowed that troublemakers will not deter him from opening a children's home after the site was damaged in a pellet gun attack.

Amjad Shah, 29, discovered that two windows at his property in Harwoods Lane, Hoddlesden, were damaged by the gun earlier this week.

He believes it was caused by people who do not want him to go ahead with his plans to transform the building into a home for four teenagers.

And although the police do not know the motive, they are appealing for information to find out whether the incident was related to Mr Shah's plans.

Mr Shah, of Audley Range, Blackburn, today vowed that the trouble had made him "even more determined" and said he would be pressing charges if the culprits were found.

He was granted permission for the home during a heated planning meeting at Blackburn town hall last November.

Many residents in the village believe it is the wrong location for such an establishmente.

The privately-run home will be used to house up to four 11 to 15 year olds from 'disadvantaged backgrounds' and Mr Shah is adamant they won't include young offenders.

Last week Hoddlesden resident David Raymond Strutz was given a conditional discharge after pleading guilty to threatening the previous owner of the house, in Harwood Lane.

Mr Shah said: "Two windows have been damaged. I can't see anyone on the security cameras so the culprits must have fired from a distance. If anything this has made me even more determined."

Inspector Andrea Bradbury said: "No-one else has reported any damage, so we would like to hear if there is anyone else so that we can rule out whether this house is being targeted because of the plans."