RESIDENTS in Park Lane, Oswaldtwistle, have raised concerns that plans to light a nearby play area will affect their homes.

Lights are being installed at Rhyddings Park, to tackle increased vandalism and anti-social behaviour , and would be timed to come on at dusk and go off at midnight.

Letters were sent to 49 households about the proposals - out of 23 responses 15 were in favour and only eight against.

At a meeting of Oswaldtwistle Area Council one resident said he was concerned that light would flood into his home.

Councillor Brian Walmsley, cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: "The lights will be directed on to the play area. They will not shine on the houses. The lights installed can be switched off or removed if they prove to be unsuccessful or were causing a problem."

But ward councillor Peter Britcliffe said he shared residents' concerns.

He said: "The play area has been very successful. We all want play areas, but we don't necessarily want them next to us and we have to respect the concerns of the residents in Park Lane.

"I would like to ensure that these lights are not going to be intrusive."

Coun Britcliffe added that he had not been able to find out whether the lights would need planning permission or not and called for the council's planning department to write to him with the answer.