RESIDENTS living near an Accrington park are getting their say on plans to transform a run-down football pitch into a multi-use games area.

The proposals for the area within the tennis courts in Peel Park were put on display for people attending the Peel and Barnfield Area Council. They were also given the chance to comment on them.

Hyndburn Council has been working with the Hyndburn Community Empowerment Network (HyCEN) on the scheme to improve the kick-about area.

Funding for the project will come from the Big Lottery Fair Share Programme to improve youth facilities in specific target areas.

As part of the work to create the games area some funding will also be given to the nearby Peel Park Bowling Club to improve its facilities.

Concerns were raised by some residents that the plans would include floodlighting, but at the meeting Ian Martlet, from the council, said this was not the case.

He said: "There were three tennis courts, but one has been taken over as a basketball and football kick-about area and the plan is to take that out and replace it with new equipment. There will be not floodlighting on the site."

Concerns were also raised that the new area would increase problems of youth nuisance already being experienced by residents.

County Councillor Wendy Dwyer said: "This will be a good thing. I know we have had problems with youth nuisance up there, but the basketball area is always well used and will benefit from new equipment.

"We obviously have to consult the people and address their concerns. Hopefully we will be able to come to some arrangement and make it another facility for the young people. It is important that young people have these facilities, but also that residents are protected."

Coun Graham Jones welcomed the money for the bowling club, which had experienced problems with vandalism.

He said: "We are going to pay a substantial amount of money to improve the fence around the bowling club before the games area is built so the bowlers have somewhere safe to play. I welcome the new games area and hope it will increase usage of that site."