RESIDENTS in a street rocked by a gas explosion which killed a young boy and left his family in hospital have called for a meeting with gas company Transco.

Andrew Marsden died last Monday at Booth Hall Children's Hospital a week after the blast ripped through the family home, in Standen Road, Clitheroe. His six-year-old brother Stephen and parents John and Lynn are still in hospital.

Residents have voiced their concerns, with many of them claiming they could smell gas before the blast.

Transco has sent a letter out to residents in the vicinity, explaining what work is being carried out - which includes the monitoring of gas pipes in the Standen Road area - but calls are being made for a face to face meeting with company representatives.

Ribble Valley Council chief executive David Morris is backing the residents and has offered to hold the meeting at the town hall.

But Transco said today that a meeting would be unlikely until the findings of an investigation, involving the Health and Safety Executive,Transco and the council, is complete.

Mr Morris said: "From speaking to residents, it is clear they want a public meeting with Transco to allay their fears.

"While it is admirable they have sent out a letter, it would be far better to meet people face to face. Several residents have voiced their concerns to me and some of them feel frustrated they are not getting the answers they want."

Transco engineers have been carrying out checks on the supply system in the Standen Road area since the blast although still do not know what caused it.

The letter extends its sympathies to the Marsden family and urges anyone who thinks they can smell gas to call its free 24-hour emergency service.

But a spokesman said there would be no meeting until all investigations are complete.

He said: "Until the results of the investigation are made public now would not be an appropriate time to hold a meeting.

"The letter assures residents that engineers are working in the area to determine the cause of the incident."