Councillors in Blackburn with Darwen today warned that "lessons must be learned" from the case of a children's nursery which opened next to a bail hostel housing paedophiles.

The warning came the day after around 12 paedophiles were removed from Haworth House hostel, Blackburn, which is just yards from children's daycare centre Smiles on Faces.

The move was ordered by Home Secretary John Reid as part of a drive to take sex offenders out of 11 bail hostels across the country which are close to schools.

And it came two weeks after the Evening Telegraph revealed how Blackburn with Darwen Council recommended the site to Smiles on Faces when they set up the business three years ago.

Probation Service bosses said they would have raised serious concerns if they had been consulted.

The council has stressed it did not feel an obligation to ensure the building was suitable before it advised Smiles on Faces that it was available.

But, speaking during an invited tour of Smiles on Faces, councillors said the council should review its policy.

Sudell LibDem councillor Roy Davies, said that "this must never be allowed to happen again."

He demanded that the Labour-controlled council change its policy to ensure children's centres are in suitable locations, and reminded council bosses that they had a duty to put the safety of children first.

He also blasted the Probation Service who only moved paedophiles from their Haworth House bail hostel after the Home Secretary intervened.

Coun Davies was joined by Coun Karimeh Foster (LibDem), Coun Moira Barrett (Labour) and Coun Eileen Entwistle (Labour) on the tour hosted by centre manager Ann Wainwright and child protection manager Simon Bass.

Coun Davies said: "It is good news that any sex offenders that were being housed next door have been moved.

"But the bail hostel has been there for six years and the nursery for three, so why has it taken so long?

"I was disgusted at some of the comments made by councillors who suggested that the only responsibility for Smiles on Faces opening here was that of the owner."

Coun Karimeh Foster said: "The role of the council is to safeguard children.

"We should arrange a new system where a full survey is done by the council before any business is given the OK."

Earcroft councillor Moira Barrett agreed, and added: "It is only common sense that the probation service puts sex offenders as far away from children as possible."

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration, said: "We are not looking to review the advice we give to businesses who wish to set up.

"The government is looking into the issue about businesses involving children being located near to convicted child sex offenders so we await to see what they propose."

Ann Wainwright said: "It has been good to have the councillors here so they can see the facilities that we offer.

"We are going to continue to have a programme of open days so people can come and see what we do and see how secure the premises are.

"Parents with children here have always been confident in our security, but we now have to show prospective parents what we do."