MARSH estate residents fear their long awaited community centre may bite the dust - unless Lancashire County Council gives them a vital strip of land.

The Marsh Tenants and Residents' Association is negotiating to buy the soon to be demolished St George's church on the site and £200,000 has already been pledged by the city council.

And children from the local school this week made a public plea for quick progress towards the building of the school.

However, fears are growing that the county council may seek planning permission for housing on the former Willow Lane nursery site.

Association chairman Tom Byrne said: "We want them to make a firm commitment to give us this land for the community centre.

"We need them to act quickly because otherwise they will be holding up our Lottery application."

Local councillor Jon Barry added: "The people of the Marsh have waited long enough for a community centre.

"The city council is finally giving this the priority it deserves. The county council shares responsibility for community facilities with the city.

"I think it is reasonable to ask the county council to donate this surplus land, the value of which is much less than the city's contribution."

County Council chairman Bob Clark hit back, accusing this week's protest of being a 'Green party publicity stunt.'

The county council insists that the land has been declared surplus for the past seven years, and they are waiting for the community centre's trustees to be appointed so negotiations can begin to lease or sell the land.