RESIDENTS told a public inquiry how their community "where everybody was happy" was lost to make way for a controversial £34million academy.

Time at the hearing was specially set aside so that residents from the Redearth Road area of Darwen, where the super-school is proposed to be built, could voice their grievances.

The inquiry at Astley Bank Hotel, Darwen, led by inspector Christina Downes, is looking into whether the council should be allowed to compulsory purchase 13 remaining properties in the area.

Residents took it in turn to outline to the inquiry what the scheme had done to their community.

Peter Sciambarella, who moved to Garden Village, said: "I got a letter saying my house was not fit for human habitation, but you could have eaten off the floor of my house.

"I phoned them up and I told him if he had fetched that letter I would have slapped him, because it was offensive to me.

"It was my human right to live near by brother, but we lost our community.

"I hope that the people that did this to me rot in hell for what they have done.

"It caused my wife to be depressed, she needed psychological treatment. She is getting better but not fully recovered."

He said he feared that if the academy went in the town centre the roads would become more congested.

Christine Crawshaw, of Industry Street, told the inquiry she had been forced to move because she lived in a rented home.

She said: "If it had been mine I would still be there. Where we lived there was a nice community where everybody was happy.

"I am not the only one that would move back tomorrow if given the chance.

"To put the academy in the town centre is going to be dangerous because of the traffic.

"I am not against the academy, just where it is going."

Mary Drew, 77, of Mayfield Flats, said: "I was in my house in Lower Cross Street for 52 years. What I would like from the council is an apology.

"They said it was unfit for human habitation. My son is an officer in the Navy and he was always proud to come back to it.

"I did move two years ago, and I am very sorry about that it still niggles at me.

"I am 77 and it's taken a lot out of me. I have seen the doctor more in the past two years than the last 50.

"I think it eventually got to me."

The inquiry is expected to continue until Tuesday.