DETERMINED villagers rallied at a Rossendale park in their latest attempt to convince hostel bosses not to house sex offenders in the heart of their village.

More than 200 Edenfield residents waved placards and banners during their protest march.

This latest demonstration against Chatterton Hey House came as residents won the fight against paedophiles being housed at the Exchange Street Hostel, situated just a few hundred yards from a nursery school and a children's play area.

Map of Chatterton Hey House

Father-of-two Matthew Mead, who lives in Exchange Street opposite the play area and the centre, said: “We don’t want any type of sex offender in our village, and we are committed to fighting this all way.

“We had a great turnout on Sunday, and we have had lots of support from the media.

“We want the bosses at The Langley House Trust to see that we mean business.”

Rossendale MP Jake Berry added his support to the protest and assured residents he would be taking their concerns to hostel bosses at a number of scheduled meeting over the next couple of weeks.

Bosses at Chatterton Hey House want to extend their services to convicted sex offenders, as well as to ex-offenders with mental health, mobility and substance abuse issues.

The centre does not restrict the coming and going of its residents, or prevent members of the public from entering its grounds.

Up to 13 men could be housed at the Edenfield centre, run by The Langley House Trust, under the management of four members of staff.