HUNDREDS of residents took to the streets of a quiet village yesterday to protest against plans by a hostel to house paedophiles and sex offenders.

Organisers said about 500 people protested in Edenfield over the proposals by Chatterton Hey House.

Bosses at the hostel, which is just a few hundred yards from a children’s play area, want to extend their services to convicted sex offenders and ex-offenders with mental health, mobility and substance abuse issues.

The protest, organised by dad-of-two Matt Mead, ran from the park to Chatterton Hey and was attended by MP Jake Berry.

Mr Mead, 40, of Exchange Street, said: “We have heard about these centres before and people can get out of them.

"It is only about 500 yards away from a children’s playground so it is totally the wrong place.

“People in the village are angry and very upset.”

Mr Mead said an 800-signature petition had also been collected while over 1,600 people have joined a Facebook protest group.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry said: “It seems common sense not to use this location for such offenders, and the police and probation service have expressed reservations about the suitability of this building.”

A meeting is planned on Wednesday between Chatterton Hey owner Langley House Trust, police and probation service, where a decision will be taken.

The Langley House Trust has said only people passing a ‘strict criteria’ would be allowed to live at Chatterton Hey.