BLACKBURN YMCA has been forced to sell its Clarence Street site to a major housing developer who plans to turn it into flats.

Ian Sadler, chief executive of Blackburn YMCA Ltd, today confirmed the sale had been agreed through property agents Trevor Dawson for a "substantial amount" and the charity would be out of the building by March 2005.

Although the organisation is looking for a new home the decision to sell Clarence Street has been slammed "a scandal" and Blackburn with Darwen Council has been criticised for not doing more to help.

The YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) is a charity that was set up to look after the interests of young men. Today it's role includes working with both sexes in education and vocational training, rehabilitation and counselling for young offenders, providing sport and leisure facilities and residential accommodation.

But Mr Sadler said soaring maintenance costs, lack of funding and competition from facilities such as the JJB Soccer Dome and community-use sports facilities St Wilfrid's High School, meant that the purpose-built building was no longer financially viable.

He said: "I came here in 2001 and the place was falling down. At the time the Youth Service were interested in buying it but there were too many problems with the building. We spent a lot of money putting right all the health and safety issues but there are still major structural problems."

The building, which has been the home of the YMCA since 1967, has been sold with planning permission for 42 one and two-bedroomed flats after tendering closed last week.

He said: "The YMCA has been left behind as new things have come along. Without the funding we have watched the numbers coming through our doors and the building suffer.

"Personally I think it is an absolute scandal that the council doesn't do something more to help us."

Blackburn with Darwen Council provide £20,000 a year in funding and the YMCA can apply to the Community Chest - a council grant scheme run by the Community Volunteering Service - for up to £5,000 a year. But Mr Sadler said: "We just don't have enough funding to stay here."