A HOLIDAY to Jamaica aimed at boosting the confidence of a teenage tearaway in care in Blackburn has been postponed.

The boy -- whose previous convictions include drink driving, driving while disqualified, theft, police obstruction and unauthorised taking of motor vehicles -- was one of several children being treated to the Caribbean trip by staff at the privately-owned Lincoln House children's home in Blackburn.

But today owner of the home, Amjad Shah, said the trip would still go ahead in the future and had not been put on hold because of criticism from local councillors.

He said he believed it would boost the boys self-esteem and confidence.

Mr Shah, said: "The youngsters didn't go on the trip as arranged. We have postponed it for the time being because we came up against a few problems and need to deal with them first.

"We haven't cancelled it because of the criticism, we still plan to go ahead with the trip."

When the plans were revealed last month, critics argued that the holiday gave out the message that crime pays and the money could be better spent.

Details of the trip emerged when the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at Blackburn youth court to driving while disqualified, with excess alcohol and without insurance.

The court was told that the boy's mother was an alcoholic and his father attempted to commit suicide in front of him.

The Lincoln Road home provides a service for councils who do not have the facilities for older teenagers making the transition between childrens' homes and the outside world and receives funding from council social services departments.