CLOSE neighbours of St Christopher's Church aren't singing the praises of Blackpool Council's Licensing Committee who have given the go-ahead for music and dancing seven days a week in the parish centre.

Although the council believe it will be mainly Cubs and Brownies who will use the hall, one resident says this is "a load of rubbish".

Mollie Moreton, of Darley Avenue, fears that it won't be long before the centre is hired out for private parties.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there was an application for an alcohol licence in the future," she said. "The church needs to raise funds to keep the place running and I think they'll hire it out to anyone who'll pay."

The public entertainment licence has been granted for 9am to 11pm from Monday to Saturday and 9am to midday on Sundays.

Mrs Moreton says she feels outraged that the council have reneged on previous recommendations by the planning department which expressed concern at any hiring out of the hall.

Residents who objected to the licence application are also concerned that the current car park is not big enough to cope with extra visitors.

They say that on-the-road parking already leads to congestion on the difficult bend in Hawes Side Lane where the £700,000 centre is situated.

"The council do what they like. I think this decision will lead to an increase in noise level and absolute chaos," said Mrs Moreton.

Mrs Moreton and husband David's front and back garden is overlooked by the centre, completed in August, 2000, and she estimates that her house has already been devalued by around £10,000.

"This is all very upsetting. When we bought the house 47 years ago, there was just a prefab church and lovely open views across a field," she added.

Licensing Committee member Coun Henry Mitchell said that although he sympathised with Mrs Moreton's situation, there had been no objections from the police or fire service.

"If the noise level does become too loud, Mrs Moreton can bring this up with the Environmental Health department for further consideration," he said.