CHILDREN'S lives could be put at risk if a new play area is put where two rivers meet in Barrowford, it was claimed today.

People living near the youth centre, in Wilton Street, are worried youngsters could drown if they slip down the steep banks after a rain storm, and have sent a petition against the scheme to Pendle borough councillors.

Betty Lawless, of Wilton Street, said putting the proposed games area for five-a-side football, netball, and basketball, next to where Colne Water and Pendle Water meet would lead to 'tragedy'.

She said: "The water gets so high and runs so fast, it's like standing in the middle of the motorway and waiting for the cars to come and knock you down one at a time. There will be a tragedy."

Her neighbour Jean Peake, of Romney Avenue, said seven people, including a nine-year-old boy, had drowned at the spot. She said: "We've had to get quite a few kids out of the water. It is very, very dangerous and this will attract them to the river."

Pendle Council was given money for a play area as a concession by developers of nearby Holmefield Garden, but time to spend the money is running out, and an earlier scheme met objections from residents.

Now councillors want to put a 540 sq metre games area, surrounded by fencing and floodlights, on the youth centre car park.

A new car park would be built on the other side of the centre, but that means building over Barrowford Pre-School's garden. Now the school's manager, Marjorie Dixon, has launched a second petition against the scheme.

Pendle Council's Barrowford and Western parishes committee will discuss the plans at Barrowford Civic Hall tonight, at 7pm.

Committee chairman, Linda Crossley, said: "We will be having a site visit before the meeting at 6pm so we can see the proposed place and any dangers there. Local people are invited to come to that to express their concerns."