A GROUP of Accrington mothers is demanding to know if paedophiles booted out of a Blackburn bail hostel will be rehoused near them.

The concerned parents are meeting Hyndburn MP Greg Pope this week to seek reassurance that ousted child sex offenders will not be taken to Highfield House on Lydia Street.

The residents, from the area surrounding the hostel, are worried for their children's safety following Home Secretary John Reid's removal of paedophiles from the Haworth House hostel in Blackburn.

Dr Reid banned those who had preyed on youngsters from staying at 11 hostels across the country because they were situated near schools. Within hours around 12 offenders were taken out of the Blackburn hostel.

The group believe that some may now be relocated to Highfield House as a convenient alternative.

One mother-of-two, who asked not to be named, said: "If Highfield House isn't going to be shut to paedophiles, does that mean they will be sent here?

"I want to know if I am putting my children at risk by living here."

The 37-year-old added: "You can't watch your children 24/7, especially not mothers who have babies as well.

"There are a lot of single mothers in the area and it is particularly hard for them.

"We are aware that they are already housing such offenders at Highfield, and we understand that they have to be housed somewhere, but what we don't want is for more of them to be sent over.

"We are not after vigilante action, we just want to know where we stand."

Mr Pope said he appreciated the residents' concerns. He added: "I can see why they are worried in light of recent events and will raise the issue with the chief executive of Lancashire Probation Service."

The hostel's residents have hit the headlines on several occasions.

Last year, a Clayton-le-Moors couple were accidentally sent details about a child rapist who was being considered as a resident, while a 47-year-old paedophile caused a nationwide hunt after breaking bail conditions and going on the run.

The Home Office said it was unable to comment on the possibility of housing additional sex offenders at Highfield House.

The spokesman added: "Approved premises do remain the most effective way of managing offenders.

"Approved premises can be properly supervised and remain safer for the public than the alternative, which is dispersing offenders throughout the community, making supervision less effective, more costly and potentially more dangerous."