RESIDENTS have hit out at plans for mixed chang-ing facilities at a leisure centre.

Burnley Council is proposing introducing unisex changing rooms at Padiham Leisure Centre as part of a £1.25m refurbishment.

But users are opposing the plans on safety grounds after a man admitted using a mirror to spy on two schoolgirls undressing in the mixed changing rooms at the St Peters Centre in Burnley.

George Henry Burrows, of Waterbarn Street, Burnley, was given a 12 months community order and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for five years after pleading guilty to two counts of voyeurism' at Burnley magistrates.

Burnley Council said no firm decisions had been made over the changing rooms but that the centre is likely to have village changing facilities - ones which anyone can use.

Former Padiham councillor and magistrate Carol Stinton, who regularly uses the swimming pool and the sauna, said people have voiced concerns over the changing facilities.

Ms Stinton, who is also secretary of a project called Project Padiham, which aims to conserve older buildings, said: "People do not want this and have approached me about this.

"I went to the opening of the St Peter's Centre and saw the changing rooms and thought how easy it would be for people to abuse the system.

"If there are people about like the man who was at the St Peters Centre, it is not safe for children or adults."

She urged Padiham residents to contact the council and voice their concerns over the issue.

Resident Bob Clarke, a retired industrial dismantler from Padiham, said the changing rooms should remain separate.

The £1.25million overhaul is being funded by a Sport England grant and town hall borrowing. Burnley Council's Capital Opportunities Fun fund may also provide around £150,000 after a number of wards were asked to forsake their £10,000 allocation.

This issue will be resolved at the Burnley authority's budget-setting process later this month.

Gerard Vinton, head of leisure and recreation at Burnley Council said: "No firm decisions with regard to the changing rooms at Padiham Leisure Centre have been made.

"However, as per changing areas in swimming pools throughout the country, and following consultation with residents, it is more than likely that when the leisure centre is refurbished, it will be with a village changing facility."