CHILDREN are putting themselves in danger after vandals trashed a former old people's home and left drugs, personal files and property strewn around the building.

St Emmanuel's Residential Home for the Elderly Confused, Blackburn, which controversially closed in February after owners Dr Bachh and Dr Bursa hit financial problems, has been overrun by youngsters.

The security firm guarding the site and the estate agents have been called out 18 times because of break-ins.

When the Lancashire Evening Telegraph visited the site after receiving complaints from concerned residents, wrecked furniture, files, personal property and medical supplies could be seen strewn around the building.

Now Blackburn with Darwen Council has vowed to step in and make the site secure if things do not improve.

Retired engineer Alan Oldham lives opposite the Grafton Streetbuilding in Mill Hill.

He said: "When the home was first emptied there was a big padlock on the gates but that disappeared a long time ago. "Every night there are kids playing in there as young as four and sooner or later someone is going to get seriously hurt.

"There is broken glass everywhere and they have been playing with the old fire extinguishers."

Coun Florence Oldfield, neighbourhood watch co-ordinator for the area, said: "It is dangerous and children should not be going in there."

Martin Coleman, security manager of Manchester-based security firm Bridgewater Security said: "Every time we get a call we go out there and seal up the building but they just seem to find a new way inside.

"We are looking at having a permanent guard at the site."

Richard Blackman, of estate agents Smith Hodgkinson McGinty in Chorley, said that as the business had collapsed there was no money to clear the building.

He said: "The only way to make it completely secure would be to brick up all the windows, which would cost about £8,000, or have a security guard on the premises 24 hours a day, which would cost about £25,000 a year."

Mr Blackman said the medical supplies in the building were over-the-counter remedies. He said only files which were not thought to be confidential had been left.

He said a buyer was interested in the property.

Coun Maureen Bateson said: "If there are drugs about then it is of concern. The council can secure any building and worry about the cost and who is responsible later. If there is danger to the public we will ensure it is made safe."

Police have now vowed to keep a closer eye on the site.

Peter Bucknell, of Manchester-based receivers Stephen Conn and Co, said he was not aware that the home had been vandalised and thought it was empty.

He added: "You can't stop determined kids getting in unless there is a permanent security guard and I can't see the bank paying for that."

A spokeswoman for Dr Bachh, who has a practice in Rawtenstall, said he was no longer dealing with the home.