RESIDENTS in Burnley today defended their community after a neighbour criticised the area.

Herbert Marsden said suggestions Brunshaw estate needed a new youth centre were ridiculous because the Belmont Community Centre already catered for all age groups.

Mr Marsden and his wide Beatrice, of Olympia Street, spoke out after resident Jon Carter wrote a letter about facilities in the area.

Mr Carter said: "Brunshaw is getting really bad and young people are drinking all over the estate. They start fires in the new houses being built and are hanging around drinking on the steps and at the shops.

"The community centre doesn't get used by young people. Belmont Centre is used by older people who don't even live in the area so its about time a centre was opened for all young people -- to offer them a warm and safe environment on the estate."

Mr Carter added: "Get the old people out and replace them with the young."

Mr Marsden said the comments were unfair and many people in Brunshaw were unhappy about them.

He argued: "The playgroup for two to four year olds uses the community centre three mornings a week, Humpty Dumpty -- a group for parents, carers and young children -- uses it every Tuesday and Mothers Alone Club for women bringing up children alone use the centre every Friday afternoon.

"Brunshaw Action Group uses the centre and four separate organisations catering for young people use it every week.

"Mr Carter claimed the community centre is used by older people who do not live in the area which is untrue. A considerable amount of people who live in the area use our centre which is open to all.

"If a number of Brunshaw residents do not use our centre this is because they do not choose to do so.

"Many of the oldies are the very people whose selfless voluntary work over many years have made Belmont Community Centre the place it is today -- a centre to be proud of, used by young and old alike."

Mr Herbert's wife Beatrice added: "As a member for the last 12 years I can assure Mr Carter that children do use this centre in various ways. The 'oldies' are extremely upset by the comments I presume to be of a younger age."