A COUNCILLOR today called for extra security at Queen's Park, Blackburn, after arsonists destroyed two pavilions.

Queen's Park councillor Yusuf Sidat said the council-owned grounds were attracting "problem youths" and he had been inundated by complaints from park users about youths vandalising facilities and behaving badly.

Coun Sidat spoke out after it was revealed fire crews from Blackburn and Darwen battled to save the Square Green pavilions used by crown green bowlers.

But the buildings were deemed to be left structurally unsound and council safety bosses have now ruled that they must be taken down. A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said only brickwork at the back of the buildings will be left standing after one of the structures was destroyed by fire and the other over 10 per cent fire damaged.

Council environment bosses must now decide whether the buildings, located at the lower end of the park will be replaced. Coun Sidat, said: "We have had a lot of problems with youth damaging the park and its facilities and also demonstrating bad behav-iour. I condemn those responsible and would urge the council to install more barriers and CCTV.

"I have received complaints from bowlers and park users so many times about this sort of trouble and both myself and the council are working closely with the police to help combat these problems."

Police have been informed of the fire and environment director at the council, Peter Hunt, said: "We believe the fire on April 16 was started deliberately.

"We have boarded up the pavilions for safety and security reasons and they are now inaccessible."