A CATHOLIC priest today joined calls to stop "parasite" accident claim companies preying on residents of a Blackburn estate.

One family is so fed up with canvassers from various "no win, no fee" personal injury firms knocking at the door that they have put up a stay-away warning sign.

Father Brian Kealey, of Our Lady's Church, Highercroft, launched a scathing attack as he described how the community is being bombarded by people touting for business.

"The system of compensation is surely meant to protect people and not to put them in danger.

"It would appear that these organisations are parasites abusing such a system where the victim becomes the oppressor and all organisations involved in the care of people are affected by their abusive approach," he said.

"People across the community have approached me, cynical about the motives of such people. They say they will help them but they are surely just feeding off them.

"Nobody should make profit out of the misery of others."

Stuart Aspin, 36, and his partner Maureen Blake, 28, live with their six children in Norbreck Close, Highercroft.

"Before we put the sign up canvassers came at least three or four times a week, all from different companies saying they were better than the others," explained the plant tyre fitter.

"I shut the door straight after hearing the question 'Have you had an accident in the last three years?'

"That is as far as they get here. Some other people aren't so polite, they tell them straight, but they still come back.

"I think these firms must assume people living round here are easy targets because they need the money.

"I'm sick of them because at the end of the day they make insurance premiums higher. I dread to think how much mine will be next time." Maureen added: "Everybody is really fed up with them. Our next door neighbour has already asked us to make her a sign so keep them away."

Just two months ago the Lancashire Evening Telegraph reported that security staff at East Lancashire hospitals had evicted representatives from similar firms after catching them leafleting waiting rooms.

MPs from the area also criticised the tactics.

The Lord Chancellor's office confirmed personal injuries companies were not self-regulated by the Law Society like solicitors' businesses, and most had no professional code of conduct.

Kim Metcalf, legal executive with Farley's Solicitors based in Blackburn has warned the public against taking their cases to such firms.

Acting Inspector Des Coop of Blackburn Police said: "Our advice to householders would be to check that door-to-door salespeople are from a reputable firm before letting them in."