YOUNG people may have to wait another two years for their own shelter in Henthorn Park, Clitheroe.

Councillors want to wait until 2002/2003 before releasing money for the project.

Members debating spending plans over the next five years were told the shelter scheme, which is backed by the police, borough council and crime and disorder partnership, was just a small part of an overall plan to improve the park for everyone, at a total cost estimated at £68,000. Other plans include improved lighting, a dog walking area, improvements to the football area and new equipment for the young children's playground.

Last year, several debates centred on the siting of a shelter in the town for the older youths to gather. It was encouraged by the local police who said youngsters needed a place they could adopt as their own and would value.

The council also said the youngsters had as much right to expect provision for them in the town. A sum of £5,000 had already been secured from Lancashire County Council for the open mesh structure. But residents petitioned against the scheme after complaints about abuse being directed at passers-by, and damaged benches and litter bins.

Today, councillor and chairman of the Henthorn Crime and Disorder group Coun Pat Rawson said: "I realise the whole scheme needs to be developed at the same time and am pleased it has been brought forward to an earlier date for work to begin. The youth shelter has been the subject of a lot of debate and involved a lot of time and work among the group, though it is only a small part of the effort the group puts in to make Henthorn a safer and pleasant place to live.

"However, it is not just the youths who are wanting improvements in the park, but also the older residents and other users, and I understand completely why one cannot go ahead without the other, though I would like to see it begun even earlier if possible."

The scheme was listed to be done in the 2004/2005 financial year, but members voted to bring the scheme forward by two years after concerns were raised that the shelter, which had received the highest profile and longest debate, was needed much sooner.

"Who knows what could happen in four years' time," said Coun Alan Knox, backed up by Coun Alan Yearing.

Members heard that the revised and proposed capital programme would now go forward to the policy and finance committee for approval, when members could discuss the possibility of bringing the whole scheme forward into next year's budget starting in April.