TODAY the Lancashire Evening Telegraph illuminates the truth about Calderstones -- namely that some of its patients have committed manslaughter, arson and even child sex offences.

The reason we have done so is simple: we believe that the people of Whalley, and those intending to buy homes on the proposed housing estate next to the unit, have a right to know who their neighbours are.

A large part of the impetus for the current concern emanates from the staff unions themselves who, in recent weeks, have expressed their fears about the adequacy of the unit's security.

They are genuinely worried about their ability to cope with the changing character of Calderstones where the medium secure unit is now housing more patients -- many of whom are not offenders, it has to be said -- than ever before.

Local MP Nigel Evans has told us that he is seeking more information and has rightly called for Home Office intervention. His course of action is the right one, particularly in the light of the extreme proximity of the new housing estate to the medium secure unit. Yes, medium secure units need to be sited somewhere, but surely the people who live 'next door' have an absolute right to know who their neighbours are and to know that the security in place is all that it should be.

In short, we need all of these facts out in the open. The residents and scores of families about to move on to the estate have the right to absolute guarantees on safety. The public interest factor here is enormous. If the right guarantees and reassurances are not forthcoming then the question must be asked: is this the wrong site for this type of institution? It is time the health trust stepped forward with ALL the facts. Nothing less will do.