HEADMASTERS today attacked plans for a new footbridge which they say will become a haven for perverts near their schools.

An environmental group has been given approval to build the bridge at Sweet Clough.

But Habergham and Ivy Bank heads believe the project will attract flashers following a series of incidents in the area in recent years including a sex attack on a teenager in March.

Speaking on behalf of both schools Stephen Ball, headteacher at Ivy Bank said: "Over the years there have been cases of indecent exposure on the path which runs alongside Sweet Clough which adjoins the school.

"I raised an objection because I didn't think we should be increasing access to the school so that people who wanted to use it for an improper use had access to the site."

The bridge will link residential areas close to Lowerhouse Lodges.

Mr Bell added: "Our other concern is dog fouling. People will come to regard it as a public area and will come to exercise their dogs and vandalism might increase on the site."

The plans were put forward by the Forest of Burnley project which seeks environmental improvements in the town.

Spokesman Keith Wilson said: "What I would say is that pupils already cross Sweet Clough brook without the bridge so it would make the crossing safer and by encouraging more legitimate walkers to the area it is likely to marginalise vandalism, theft, burglaries and assaults because it is more likely that respectable people will be in the area."

During an extensive consultation process into the plans, Crime Prevention Officer Dave Sykes spent time assessing the risks involved.

In a report to Burnley Council PC Sykes said: "The considered opinion of my colleagues and myself is that there should not be a significant increase in incidents at the two schools given that the current footpath from Victoria Terrace has no fencing on the school side to prevent trespass.

"In the past this has not been a major cause of complaint by the schools."

Last March, a girl walking home along Lowerhouse Lane was grabbed by a man, pushed her into a back yard near Greenbrook Road and indecently assaulted.

At the time police said they viewed the incident as isolated and were not linking it to a series of sexual assaults in the Padiham Road area, which have occurred since August 1998.

Among those supporting the proposed bridge is Rosegrove councillor Marlene Disley.

In a letter to the council's Park Services Unit Coun Disley said: "I share everyone's concerns about several incidents of sexual assault that have occurred in the past on the footpath from Kiddrow Lane through to Ivy Bank.

"These have however taken place in the wooded area nearer to Kiddrow Lane and I do not think that any increased access would necessarily encourage unsavoury characters to specifically target the area."

The plans were approved at a meeting of the council's executive committee last night and work is expected to start on the bridge before the end of the year.