WAR veterans were among more than 400 people who attended a public meeting last night to voice their anger at plans to move Dunscar War Memorial.

The old soldiers and residents said the memorial should remain on its present site.

And they dismissed plans to build 11 five-bedroomed homes between the corner of Blackburn Road and Darwen Road and the Dunscar Industrial Estate as "downright disgusting".

Residents described developer Stephen Fitton's plans to relocate the 83-year-old memorial as a "red-herring", trying to divert attention from his proposed housing development.

Many of the war veterans who attended the stormy meeting at Walmsley Parish Hall were wearing their medals.

Local councillor Alan Wilkinson said: "We do not need this development. We do not want this development. It would ruin this area. We don't want our war memorial thrown on the tip.

"We are the worst-off area in Bolton for facilities. We do not need any more traffic and the schools, doctors and dentists are full."

Under the plans, the memorial would be relocated 50 yards to the south of its present position in front of a new building housing six apartments. Alterations would be made to the road infrastructure to access the new homes.

Resident Lorraine Loughlin said: "We are going to be overbuilt in this village. It's time to call it a day on all this development."

And Paul Perry, a former Bolton councillor, who visits the war memorial with the Salvation Army, attacked suggestions from Mr Fitton that the site had become a magnet for tearaway teenagers, glue sniffers and flytippers.

He said: "It's a place of pride and the developer owes the youth of this area an apology. I have never yet seen a member of the young community deface, vandalise or litter that memorial."

The council-owned memorial stands in memory of 130 local men who perished in the First World War.

The meeting was attended by Bolton North-east MP David Crausby, who condemned the proposals as "ridiculous".

He said: "The council should simply say no. I will do what I can to prevent more house building in this area as we have had enough.

"This is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. We must say that the war memorial is not for sale."

Bromley Cross councillors Donald Carr and Norman Critchley were at the meeting, but could not offer an opinion on the plans because of their membership of the council's planning committee.

Another woman said: "This is our village and community and we need to protect it. I'd like to say three words: Lest we forget."

The controversial plan is likely to go before the planning committee on September 2.