CALLS have been made for the council to take action after a ‘massive pool’ of water formed at the end of a cul-de-sac following work to a damaged water course.

Residents fear the eight-foot deep pool, which is not barricaded off, poses a danger to children who may be tempted to swim in it.

Glenn Evans, of Birch Hall Avenue in Darwen, said: “It’s totally exposed to children and it looks really inviting.

“The kids are going to love it. Thankfully my girls are old enough to know not to go near it and my little boy is only two.

“But there are a lot of children in the area and they all play out”.

Mr Evans said the ‘massive pool’ formed in a 20-foot wide crater at the end Hyndburn Drive in Darwen following the heavy rain fall last week.

The 40-year-old father of three said: “They started the work a couple of months ago and excavated the area.

“It filled up a few days ago when we got the first bout of heavy rain and we’ve been left with a massive pool of water.

“There’s no point ringing the council because they’ll just send the same people down, who will stand around and point. It’s all nonsense.

“People need to know that the council think it’s ok for their children to live and play around something like this.”

Mr Evans, who is self employed, said the hole is a result of excavation work undertaken by the council several months ago to repair a damaged culvert.

He said residents have been appealing to the council to repair the water course for more than 15 years as it has been causing the area to flood when it rains.

He said: “The water course is more than 70 years old. Neighbours have had storm doors put in because they are constantly being flooded.

“My garden is flooded at the minute and I have to step over running water just to cross the street.

“All of this could be solved if they just finished the work they have started.”

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said:“This work is being carried out by United Utilities but Council inspectors have been down to the site and we have reported it.”

A spokesman from United Utilities said: “We went behalf of the council to complete work that is being done to a damaged culvert.

“The workers filled in the hole and we hope this will alleviate the problem."