RESIDENTS are pleading with council bosses to reconsider plans to create a youth shelter in a nearby park -- claiming it will become a hot-spot for troublesome teenagers.

A 66-signature petition and dozens of letters will be presented to Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning and highways committee when they meet on Thursday evening.

At a meeting last month, councillors deferred the plans for a youth shelter, in Livesey Urban Park, after residents claimed they had not been consulted on the project.

Two days of meetings with residents was held last week, and now the planning committee is being minded to approve the project. In a letter accompanying the petition, locals claim the area is already a magnet for troublemakers. They say people walking through the park feel intimidated by swearing, drinking youths.

One pensioner said: "They throw things at the houses and do some disgusting things.

"We find used condoms on there all the time, as well as dirty needles.

"I have even heard of them throwing excrement at dogs.

"By building the youth shelter, they will just make the problem worse and attract more juveniles to the area." When the land was donated to the council, it was done so on the understanding that it would not be built on.

According to a report to be presented to tonight's committee, the agreement can be broken if councillors believe it would lead to considerable community benefit.

The report also states that the police, community association and ward councillors all feel the shelter will help alleviate existing problems because it will take the youngsters further into the park, and away from nearby houses.

But Coun Edward Harrison, who lives in the area, said: "It causes us massive problems already.

"There are several hot-spots for troublemakers and this youth shelter will focus all of the troublemakers in the area."