A YOUTH project is on hold while an investigation is carried out into why a mother and seven children were dumped on the side of the road after a day out.

And environmental charity Groundwork, which runs the Youth Works scheme, revealed today that the project manager had been allowed to take leave until the inquiries were complete.

The charity stressed that the development had no bearing on the inquiry which should be completed this week when appropriate action would be taken.

An investigation was launched last week after Sarah Hunter's 13-year-old son Stephen, who suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, was ordered off the coach on the Grane Road, in Haslingden, as it returned from Alton Towers.

Twenty eight children were on the trip, accompanied by three adult workers from Youth Works and Mrs Hunter, who went along as Stephen required medication.

Mrs Hunter, of Whitehaven Close, Blackburn, had her two other children with her, Anthony, 10 and Melissa, seven, together with four other children whom, she claims, were told to get off as well.

The group was dropped off by a phone box, near Gas Street, from where Mrs Hunter telephoned husband Stephen to come and pick them up.

But he had already set off for the project's base in Roman Road to wait for the coach.

When it arrived without his family, he called the police and reported them as missing persons. He then went to search for them.

A spokesman for Groundwork today confirmed the Youth Works project at Roman Road had been suspended until the investigation was complete. He hoped the issue would not affect its funding.

He said: "The project was coming to the end of its funding for this year but we are trying to secure more funding to continue the project.

"Obviously this is a major blow, not just for us but for the many parents who support the scheme."

The project, funded by the National Lottery and Youth Justice Board, has operated in East Lancs for seven years with bases in various locations. It was set up to prevent youngsters turning to crime and Groundwork said the results from the Roman Road scheme were testament to its success.

The spokesman said: "Police figures from April 2000 to March 2001 show that all crime dropped by 20 per cent in that area.

"Anti-social behaviour dropped by 25 per cent and juvenile nuisance by 66 per cent compared to the year before. The results are excellent and it's a huge shame the Roman Road project is on hold."

Mrs Hunter said today she still wanted the project worker sacked. She said: "Overall the project has been fine but there is no excuse for throwing us off the coach."