PROTESTERS campaigning against plans for an amusement arcade at an M65 service station claim it could become a haven for schoolchildren.

The proposed site for the arcade, which would feature up to 25 machines in an over 18s only section, is around 700 yards from Darwen Vale High School.

Most machines would give cash prizes and campaigners fear they will be difficult to police and will lead to school pupils skipping classes and wasting money.

David Fenton, Darwen Vale governor and Earcroft ward councillor, said: "The school is very concerned about the plans and the temptation an arcade would bring to the area.

"On the other hand, it's a difficult moral issue because when you shut one, where do you stop? A lot of children from the school congregate at the M65 Services and this can only make it worse."

Coun Mary Leaver, Earcroft ward, said: "Residents have been having enough problems with more noise and litter on the streets. An amusement arcade is the last thing they need because this is bound to attract more children."

Residents on nearby streets are furious about the proposals. Coun Mike Barrett, Earcroft ward, said: "They say it will be for over 18s but who's going to police that? This is wrong and it shouldn't be going ahead because it will be a magnet for disaffected youths. It is also a concern for the residents who live nearby whose quality of life will be affected."

Terry Rose, 64, of Redvers Road, said: "It's going to make the street so much worse. We have a street full of elderly people and they shouldn't have to put up with kids making noise and dropping litter at all hours of the day. We may as well be living on Blackpool promenade."

Kevin Eames, 45, of Hector Road, said: "It's terrible living here now and it used to be such a nice road before. I live on the end of the road and kids come down here and climb over the fence by jumping on top of my railings. An arcade will make it ten times worse."

Lilian Killeen, 81, of Redvers Road, said: "It will encourage children to gamble and it will cause havoc."

The application, by Margrams plc, M65 Services site developers, will come up before a licensing sub-committee in March or April. Committee chairman Coun Jim Blackburn, said: "It's something we will need to consider carefully at the meeting because there is a lot of objection." Margrams bosses were unavailable for comment yesterday.