RESIDENTS have lost their campaign to stop sex offenders from being housed in their quiet Rossendale village.

Rossendale MP Jake Berry and Coun Darryl Smith have received a letter from the Langley House Trust confirming that Chatterton Hey House, in Edenfield, will offer places to convicted sex offenders.

The rehabilitation hostel, located just 100 yards from a children’s play area and nursery in Exchange Street, already takes in ex-offenders suffering from alcohol and drug abuse.

Rossendale MP Jake Berry, who received notification of the decision yesterday, said: “I am deeply disappointed that Langley House Trust have ignored the local community voice.

"It is absolutely wrong to steamroll local residents into this deeply unpopular intrusion into the heart of our local community.”

Edenfield Coun Darryl Smith said: “This is a real slap in the face for local people. Jake and I have been working on this for months. This fight will go on and I will be working with the “Keep Edenfield Safe Campaign Group” to seek a solution.”

News of the decision comes just days after concerns were raised about hostel residents acting strangely in the village.

Initially The Langley House Trust also wanted to offer places to paedophiles convicted of sexual offences against children.

But, following two protest marches, a petition and a lack of support from Lancashire Probation Trust and the police, the idea was scrapped.

Campaigner and local resident Matt Mead: “This decision is absolutely ridiculous. They have not taken into account the residents fears or views at all.

“We will doing everything we can to protect our families. I think another protest is on the cards.”

The independent trust does not need permission from the Probation Service or local police to implement its decision.

Nobody from the centre was available for comment yesterday.