THE former owner of a car showroom has angered neighbours by displaying up to 14 vehicles for sale outside his home.

Residents have criticised Naim Akhtar for creating the "car lot" on unadopted land at Ramsgreave Avenue, Blackburn.

Mr Akhtar, 46, was unavailable for comment, but his wife Hanifa, 37, apologised for any upset caused.

However she said: "We are trying to make a living.

"My husband had an operation on his arm and he does not work at the showroom anymore.

"This is our access that the cars are on."

The unadopted land links Pleckgate Road to Rams-greave Drive via Ramsgreave Avenue.

Residents said motorists had used it as a rat run so bollards were installed.

But despite the unadopted land being blocked off, some residents still said the cars should not be blocking up the area in case emergency access was needed.

The cars have been sold from there for around a fortnight with up to 14 for sale at a time, according to Mrs Akhtar.

She said they moved to Ramsgreave Avenue a year ago and that her husband was the former co-owner of Awan Motors in Audley Range, Blackburn.

Vickie Sagar, 27, of Ramsgreave Drive said: "The emergency services have keys to the bollards which were put on the street because it was being used as a rat run.

"The cars block the roads. What would happened in an emergency? How would they get through?

"People come at all hours of the day to have a look at the cars.

"A woman was trying to walk down the road with a pram but she couldn't walk through.

"She had to go back and then along the main road to get to the other half of the street."

Bill Toth, 77, said: "As long as they don't cause obstructions they can do what they want.

"But there is a house up for sale next door to their's and who would buy it knowing there were cars being sold there? It will affect our house prices."

Council bosses have said they will look into the matter.

Chris Allen, head of environmental health and trading standards, said: "Following the complaint, we will be sending officers to investigate and we will advise the owner on the matter."