CAMPAIGNERS fighting to halt a proposed sports development at an Accrington high school say they will continue their protests, despite failing to stop Hyndburn Council backing the project.

Members of the Moorhead Residents Association shook their heads in disbelief as Hyndburn Council gave its backing to the £2.25million sports complex plan at Moorhead High School, which includes six football pitches, a floodlit Athletics track, sports hall extension and, causing most anger, a sports bar.

The council's decision to support the plan will now be passed on to Lancashire County Council, whose planning committee will decide if the scheme -- being put forward by the county, Moorhead High School and a private firm -- can go ahead.

In an unusual move, Hyndburn Council is to tell County Hall how many councillors voted for and against the project, after members spent 90 heated minutes discussing the plan.

The issue was brought to the attention of full council after councillors claimed not enough thought was given to the original decision, at a development services meeting last month, to support the scheme.

That decision was rescinded, only for councillors to vote 20-16 in favour of the scheme, provided certain conditions are attached to its acceptance.

Coun Peter Britcliffe told the council chamber: "By telling County how we voted, they will know how split the council and indeed the community, is. That can only be a good thing." Keith Pilkington, chairman of the Moorhead Residents Association, said the fight was a long way from over.

He said: "We will be lobbying County Hall now and several residents have written to Minister for the Regions demanding a public inquiry into the scheme.

"We still believe this plan should not go through because the actual maps showing what is going where are inaccurate. They make the site look too big.

"There are some 350 letters at County Hall from residents who are opposed to this scheme because it will cause light pollution, noise pollution and crime problems. It will also send house prices crashing.

"The council is obviously not in total support of this scheme, so how can it justify giving it £70,000?"

Before the meeting, dozens of youngsters from Hyndburn Athletics Club, which will use the site, wore T-shirts favouring the project outside the town hall.

Ian Coffey, from the organisation, said: "We are pleased at the moment, but surprised at some of the ridiculous arguments from the residents. Noise pollution, we feel, won't be an issue and neither will light pollution. The other issues they mention aren't relevant to planning matters.

"The council was told by people living near other sports facilities that all they ever hear are people swearing on football pitches. That won't be an issue here because the site is for a different calibre of person -- athletes."

Picture: Banner-bearing demonstrators from Hyndburn Athletic Club in support the sports complex plan.