PLANS to move a drug service centre into a residential area have been scrapped after a public outcry.

Residents and businesses in the Accrington Road area of Blackburn voiced their concerns after it was revealed a health trust had applied to move the centre into St Ives House, St Ives Road.

But despite assurances from health bosses that there was no need to worry, more than 260 people signed a petition to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council opposing the scheme.

The application, submitted to the Communicare NHS Trust, which covers Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, has now been withdrawn and the trust says it will look for other premises.

The centre was to act as an administration office for staff and a client support base. A drug rehabilitation centre run by the East Lancashire Drugs Services, part of the trust, is currently based in Penny Street.

Jacqueline McGrew, chairman of Whitebirk and Intack Residents' Association, said: "Everyone is delighted and this just shows what you can do if you keep trying.

"I wish the people who put these applications in would ask others in the area what they think first, as it would have save a lot of time and effort."

Martin Baybutt, of Martin Hairstylists, Accrington Road, said: "This is people-power working at its best.

"There are a lot of problems with crime in the area as it is and we don't want anything that might make that worse.

"Everyone is delighted at the outcome."

David Jackson, service manager for East Lancashire Drugs Services, said: "We have withdrawn the application because of a combination of factors including local opposition from residents and businesses in the area.

"We are now looking for other premises, possibly in the town centre."

A letter was sent to all residents in the Accrington Road area from Pete Gillibrand of Blackburn with Darwen's Borough Council Planning Department confirming the application had been withdrawn.