A COMMUNITY polytunnel which was built without planning permission is set to stay.

Teenagers from the Fosters youth club built the plastic structure in the car park behind the Fosters Arms, Barnoldswick, to grow flowers and vegetables.

But they feared they could have to take it down because of planning rules.

Now they are working with the planning department at Pendle Council to bring the structure in line with the regulations.

Planning bosses insist they had never contacted the group threatening to remove the tunnel.

Planning laws meant the structure needed retrospective permission or it had to be taken away.

But council officials insist they had intended to work with youth leader Jennifer Purcell to gain the necessary permission.

Councillor David Whipp accused Mrs Purcell, a town council member and candidate for Barnoldswick's Pendle Council by-election at the end of the month, of using the teens as a "political football."

He said: "Coun Marjorie Adams was approached by the group and asked informally whether she thought it would need planning permission.

"She made some inquiries and reported back to the group that it probably would, and she gave them a bit of advice on what they needed to do.

"At no point did anyone from the council say it would have to come down.

"I am disappointed that the young people have been used as a political football."

Mrs Purcell said the group was now looking into whether the tunnel would need planning permission at all, under new government guidelines for temporary structures.

She said: "The kids are thrilled to bits that its not coming down and so am I because this project has really kept them occupied with something constructive."

l A report on June 2 incorrectly suggested planners had "ordered" the tunnel's removal. We apologise for the error.