TWO new 'secret' bail hostels are set for East Lancashire, it has emerged.

Essex-based ClearSprings plans to open the facilities, housing criminals released early from jail, in Blackburn and Accrington.

But neither council covering that area had heard of the proposals, despite the firm being contractually obliged to consult in areas were bail hostels are planned.

Hyndburn Council leader has slammed the situation, with the borough's MP Greg Pope saying the lack of consultation was "completely unacceptable".

And Blackburn with Darwen's chief Colin Rigby added his criticism, saying the Government "seemed to have a lot of full prisons" and was letting "dangerous criminals loose".

Blackburn MP Jack Straw, who oversees the Ministry of Justice which appoints Clearsprings in his role as Justice Secretary, pledged to investigate the matter.

The plans for the hostels in Accrington and Blackburn come a week after ClearSprings was accused of opening 150 hostels across Britain, including in Burnley and Pendle, without consultation.

This prompted the launching of a high-level inquiry after an MoJ spokesman said they acknowledged that residents had not been consulted properly.

Coun Peter Britcliffe, leader of Hyndburn Council, is to write to the district's MP, Greg Pope over the plans.

Coun Britcliffe said: "Obviously the fact that there's no consultation makes it worse because we would not know where it would be.

"Residents have a right to know but it seems as if in Hyndburn these things are thrust upon us.

"I call on the MP to find out for us and let people know and have a consultation.

"It is a government department so he needs to look out for us.

"I will write to him and express my concerns."

Mr Pope said he would pass on Coun Britcliffe's letter to Mr Straw.

He added: "I spoke to Jack Straw about this on Friday and I am going to meet him in the coming week.

"I share Peter Britcliffe's concerns and I think he is right about this and I think it is important to work together to allay the concerns of residents.

"It is completely unacceptable that the council has not yet been consulted.

"Hyndburn Council is the body through which the local community make their concerns heard."

Coun Colin Rigby, Blackburn with Darwen Council leader, said he knew nothing about a bail hostel opening in the borough.

He added: "Mr Straw seems to have a lot of full prisons and dangerous criminals being let loose.

"They should be talking to us and discussing it but they are not."

MoJ officials said the facilities held offenders released early on home detention curfews and defendants bailed by magistrates.

These can be criminals who have been jailed for up to four years, although no sex or violent offenders are considered for the curfews.

Ministers stressed that each case undergoes a "rigorous individual risk assessment".

ClearSprings is at present searching for suitable locations in both Blackburn and Accrington, according to the MoJ. The hostels are often simply modified houses.

Last Mr Straw announced his department would look at the concerns of residents and councils who felt they have not been properly consulted by ClearSprings over the hostels.

On the proposals for Accrington and Blackburn, Mr Straw said: "I will ask my department to look into it."

An MOJ spokesman added: ""ClearSprings is under a contractual obligation to consult in areas where they are to open bail accommodation."

A Hyndburn Council spokesman said the town hall has not been contacted by ClearSprings, although Blackburn with Darwen Council could not confirm whether or not its bosses had been consulted.

A Lancashire police spokesman said it was a matter for the government .