SOCCER star Garry Flitcroft has lost a battle to close a footpath in the street where he grew up after strong opposition from neighbours.

And a planning committee has agreed that the path will remain open to the public.

The Blackburn Rovers player and his father, John, are co-owners of G&J Properties which applied to Bolton Council to close the path in Lower House Walk, Bromley Cross, next to a block of flats the company has spent £1 million renovating.

The company claims the path is a magnet for youths and must be shut to protect residents of the luxury flats they have developed. They want to use the area as a workers' and gardeners' store.

But the elderly residents argue that the alleyway, which runs through Thomas Court, is an important local access route.

Since the path was temporarily closed last year, they have had longer journeys to the shops, health centre and library.

A 54-name petition and six letters of objection were sent to planning chiefs in protest over the path's permanent closure. Two letters were also received in support of closure because of problems with litter and youths drinking in the alley.

But Bolton North-east MP David Crausby argued that the views of the residents and people with young children should be heeded -- and the planning committee councillors agreed.

A planning spokesman said: "Public rights of way should be retained and their integrity protected.

"Closing the footpath would remove a much-needed local facility used by pedestrians as a short cut to reach the shops, church, library, a meeting place for OAPs and bus stops.

"The alternative route shown by the applicant via Lords Stile Lane would add extra distance and inconvenience residents. The proposed storage facility could easily be located elsewhere within the site."

The Flitcrofts are not happy with the decision and have vowed to continue the fight.

They told the Bolton Evening News that they intend to appeal, but declined to comment further.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "If the developers intends to appeal, I am certain they will meet with the same strong resistance.

"The footpath is a valuable link to local amenities, which is the reason it was built. It is a long way for elderly people to go when their journey is extended by six or seven minutes, particularly in bad weather."