A HEALTH study could soon be undertaken after residents of a Chorley village complained of smoke drifting from a nearby fire training centre.

Astley Village Parish Council has been asked to investigate the possible health risks after concerned residents tackled councillors over Euxton's Washington Hall training centre.

Some villagers say that smoke from the training centre drifts over the village at least four or five times a week.

Malcolm Hawkins, 67, (pictured) who has lived on Buckshaw Hall Close in Astley Village for almost 19 years, says the smoke gets so thick some days that he has to switch his house lights on just to be able to see.

He explained: "I know that firemen need to train and I know it needs to be done, but I think that maybe they should do it somewhere else.

"It's distressing to many residents of the village, and now that Astley Village is more built up than it used to be, there's even a stronger case for the centre to be moved."

He added: "It was brought up at the last parish council meeting to look into the possible health hazards of smoke - especially when it billows over the primary school as well."

A parish council spokesman confirmed that a health study could well be commissioned into the effects of the smoke.

He said: "The parish council are looking into it, but Washington Hall is an international training base and is an extremely useful service. They do a very, very good job.

"But, sometimes the smoke gets intolerable. What daylight we have turns into darkness."

John Taylor, from Lancashire Fire Service, responded by saying: "There have been a number of complaints from residents regarding smoke and we have responded to them - we do consult residents regarding our training methods.

"Also, we have introduced a number of environmental initiatives at the Washington Hall site to make our training sessions more environmentally friendly."

"It's not a case of endangering the environment or the local community."

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