PROSTITUTES are using an East Lancashire park to sell sex, a councillor has claimed.

Coun Marion Raynor, who represents the Church ward on Hyndburn Borough Council, said the illicit acts have been going on for the past 12 months at Gatty Park.

She has received complaints from local residents and says she has seen prostitutes and their 'clients' going into the park at night.

A committee, called the Friends of Gatty Park, has been set up to tackle the problem and also look at other issues in the grade two listed park such as vandalism.

Coun Raynor said: "I have had complaints from residents and I have seen the girls go into the park and cars pull up inside the park.

"It is happening at night around 8pm. As far as I know it has been going on for 12 months.

"It is a family park and this sort of thing discourages families from going in."

Coun Raynor said the lewd acts are taking place behind Elmfield Hall. She said that the committee hoped to get funding for CCTV cameras, additional lighting and a night watchman to patrol the park.

Coun Raynor added: "Vandalism is also a massive problem there. Only the other week, kids were having a bonfire in the middle of the bowling green. It needs someone there 24 hours a day.

"Last year Hyndburn Council spent more than £40,000 on a children's play area and that is being ruined by vandals. We also want to renovate the war memorial which has been vandalised." Inspector Dave Whittle, of Accrington Police, said: "If anyone is concerned about prostitution in the area and, if they know of any specific incidents, they should report them to us and we will investigate them."