RESIDENTS fear that crime will return to plague their Bolton community if a proposed young offenders hostel is granted planning permission.

People in the Park Road area are furious that three years after a similar hostel, Westgate house, was closed, plans have been submitted to Bolton Council to convert 173 Park Road into accommodation for ex-offenders.

The English Churches Housing Group is planning to convert the house into six bedsits to be used as temporary assessment homes for ex-offenders before they are offered a tenancy at Bolton House, on Chorley New Road, which is also run by the group.

Residents say many pensioners live in the area and they were plagued by 12 years of burglaries, vandalism, abuse and intimidation from the offenders at the former hostel.

Homeowners at a public meeting revealed the misery they previously endured living near the young offenders.

One resident said she was mugged during daylight and had her flat broken into twice.

Another pensioner said her home was broken into five times. A spokesman for the residents said: "Pensioners, particularly women, are scared to go out during the day. They do not walk in the local park alone and they do not need the added fear and intimidation of being followed, taunted and abused by drug addicts."

Jean Pimlott, who has managed Westpark, a block of privately-owned apartments for over 55s in Westgate Avenue, for eight years, said: "We are greatly concerned about the plans.

"I am worried about the safety of the residents and their carers.

"The last hostel caused a lot of problems and, when it closed, we all breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"Over the last couple of years there has been a massive difference. Now we fear it could go back to the way it was."

Lillian and Charles Maund, who have recently opened a new beauty training centre at Westgate House, opposite 173 Park Road, are concerned about encouraging young girls to come to an area where they may not be safe, should the plans go ahead.

Mrs Maund said: "I also teach international students, who I was hoping would be able to stay in rooms upstairs at the centre. But it would not be safe for them."

Local councillor Cliff Morris said: "The residents are bitterly opposed to this plan. I will put their protests to the planning committee, although I have to hear the other side of the argument as well, before I make my decision."

Any objections to the plans should be submitted in writing to the planning department at the town hall.