FOUR out five children from Burnley plan to leave the town when they grow up, shock figures revealed today.

The town's MP and council leader today spoke of their shock at the statistics and said it showed the amount of work they needed to do to improve the town.

They believe improved job opportunities and housing and the creation of a university in the town would persuade more children to stay in Burnley as adults.

The damning findings were from a survey of 1,000 youngsters aged 11-16 from the town conducted by regeneration body Elevate East Lancashire and Burnley Council.

Burnley's problem of migrating youth has also been underlined by Lancashire County Council figures which show the town has a long-term projected population decrease.

It is the only predicted fall in population in the county.

Council Leader Gordon Birtwistle, whose Liberal Democrat group took control of the council in a coalition with the Conservatives last week, said he could understand why the children wanted to leave because of the "state of the town".

He added: "This is not good news at all for the people who are left in the borough, we want to make Burnley a young and vibrant town for people to work and live.

"We have got a lot of work to do to bring the town back.

"We need to make the place more attractive to stay and we need them to stay because they are our future."

MP Kitty Ussher said the survey showed the size of the problems she and her colleagues had to tackle.

She added: "We want to bring back that pride so people young and old have a better life and want to live here.

"I have always said my aim and that of the Government's is to make Burnley a place where people want to live.

The survey also found that just a quarter of young people were involved in their community and fewer than 20 per cent thought life was "great".

The report showed that if a victim of crime, 70 per cent would go to their parent for help whereas just 56 per cent would go to the police.

It also revealed 64 per cent of those questioned don't feel safe when on their own at night, but 72 per cent felt safe at night when they are in a group.

Police chiefs in the town said they were disappointed with the outcome of the report but said they didn't think it reflected the bigger picture.

Burnley inspector Dave Croll said: "Most people realise that the police are here to help and support them, although it is a disappointing response.

"I would still maintain that the majority of young people still support and trust what the police are doing. Anti-social behaviour in terms of young people is very much widely reported on.

"However there's a lot of good work that goes on between young people which doesn't receive as much publicity which reflects the relationship between the police and young people in a different light."

Covering a wide range of issues surrounding living and learning in the borough, the report produced a number of surprising results to many of the agencies involved.

The report said 43 per cent of children in Burnley had friends of different ethnic backgrounds, while 82 per cent had pals at different schools and 74 per cent had friends from different parts of the town.

Sam Taggart, of the Burnley Youth Council said: "It is important that our views are heard and it is good to know agencies are listening.

"People forget that young people are also victims of crime and anti-social behaviour as well as being determined to feel pride in their town, to see neighbourhood's improve and communities grow stronger."

Mike Waite, Burnley Council's head of community cohesion, said: "Many points in this report are challenging and difficult for agencies to hear but Burnley is being positive and is determined to gathering and listening to young peoples' views.

"Those responsible for community safety welcome this report, accept the challenges and look forward to building on ever strengthening relationships with young people over the coming years."

Michael Wellock, Burnley's elevate co-ordinator said: "It is essential that regeneration projects take young people's views on board.

"Work has already taken place across both primary and secondary schools and this must continue to ensure we are creating neighbourhoods that will last not just for this generation but for generations to come."