CHILDREN have been warned to stay away from a dangerous and derelict building for their own safety.

Police said they have received reports of kids breaking into Oswald House at the bottom of Rhyddings Street in Oswaldtwistle

Officers said the building, which has lain empty for a number of years, was derelict and was in a really ‘dangerous state of repair'.

A spokesman for Oswaldtwistle Neighbourhood Policing Team said on Facebook:“The council is doing its best to make sure the owner maintains it properly and is also making basic repairs itself but the building is still dangerous and if people keep going in it’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.

“If you have children, please talk to them about this and make sure you know where they are, especially as the summer holidays are fast approaching. The last thing anyone wants is an injured child so please impress on them the need to keep out of this building.

“Thanks and please share with anyone you think needs to know this.”

Cllr Stewart Eaves, who represents the area on Hyndburn Council said something needed to be done about the building.

He said: “The council have already taken action once against the owner of the building, who did a tiny amount of remedial work and I believe they’re in the process of taking action against him again.

“There are kids breaking into the building and smashing windows and causing tremendous problems for the police.

“The building is falling into rack and ruin.”

Cllr Clare Cleary, cabinet member for Housing and Regeneration at Hyndburn Council, said the concerns expressed by the police were shared by the council.

She added the council was pursuing the owner of Oswald House through the courts.

She said: “We will use all appropriate legal remedies to secure and make the building safe.

"We have successfully obtained one prosecution against the building owner but the works remain outstanding and therefore the council is in the process of returning to the court to get a further order for the building owner to carry out the necessary repairs."

The late 19th century building has been used in the past as a doctor’s surgery and offices.

Plans have also been lodged in the past to renovate the building into 24 apartments, but they did not materialise.

Property estate agent Rightmove is currently marketing the building with a guide price of £75,000.

The owner of the building was unable to be reached.