WORRIED residents living near a Blackpool plumbers' have signed a petition complaining about metal pipes and a large container on the company's forecourt.

A small group of neighbours of Abbey Plumbing, Caunce Street have signed the petition because they say the container is unsightly and the pipes could hurt children.

"It's just open for kids to play. Some of the stuff is very sharp and dangerous," said petition organiser and local landlord Colin Hardcastle.

He said tenants renting his house on nearby Layton Road had moved out, telling him it was 'far too dangerous' for their young family to be near the forecourt.

And he claimed he knew of one child who had already gone home with cuts after playing with large duct pipes stacked outside the business.

"We have got signatures not only from residents but also from shop keepers who think it's an eye sore. They should be on an industrial estate," he added.

A Blackpool Borough Council spokeswoman confirmed a copy of a complaint and petition about the plumbing firm had been received.

But Abbey Plumbing's contracts manager, Steve Heeley, said the duct pipes on the forecourt were secured well out of a child's reach, on top of a tall, locked storage container -- and within the company's boundary.

"We do get the odd time when we get vandals coming up and cutting up the ropes," he said.

"We try to keep most of our stuff in stores but at present our stores are flat out."

The company -- which has been at Caunce Street for about five years -- has been looking for bigger premises elsewhere in Blackpool, Mr Heeley said.

He conceded the forecourt could appear unsightly during the day, but added: "We look after the building, it's nicely decorated outside."

The stock spread out on the forecourt during the day for stock taking was taken back into the building at the end of each day, with the large shipping style container used as additional storage, he explained.

The controversial pipes, brought in for specific contracts and sometimes stored atop the container, were secured and only accessible to trespassers, said Mr Heeley.

And other than the petition, he was not aware of any neighbours or worried parents approaching the company to complain.