VILLAGERS are up in arms at plans for pupils from a special residential school to move into a new house on their doorstep.

Barry Bridden, head teacher of Ridgway Park School in Silverdale, which caters for 11-16 year olds with special education needs, has confirmed that four pupils along with two members of staff are set to move into a house on the Ashgrove complex, off the main street in Nether Kellet.

But, Mr Bridden - who said although a sale was at an advanced stage it would be months rather than weeks before the children moved in - said villagers had nothing to be concerned about.

He said the pupils, who would probably be between 11 and 13 years old, would be orphaned children, who would benefit from the experience of living in a family-like unit until they could be placed with a foster family.

But Nether Kellet resident of 45 years, Ann Jackson, who lives two houses along from where the pupils would be living, said she was extremely concerned with the move.

"It's all very well saying they'll be at school during the day, but what will they do in the evenings - there's nothing for the children in the village to do as it is."

She added that a small village like Nether Kellet was completely the wrong place for the children to be accommodated, and that it was wrong that residents in the area had not been consulted and had had to find out themselves by chance.

Keith Moore, who lives opposite Ashgrove, said people living in the area were all quite worried, and that it was strange no change of use planning consent was required.

Village parish council chairman George Smith has invited Mr Bridden along to the next parish council meeting on October 2, at 7pm, in the old schoolroom, and hopes that anyone with concerns comes along to put their questions direct to school staff.

Mr Smith, who was contacted by several worried villagers, said he thought the school could have been more open about its plans.

Rumours circulating around the village because of people not being fully informed had not helped, he added

Mr Bridden said the Silverdale school, which is also a children's home, had 27 pupils, with most, although not all, having a statement of educational need, ranging from autistic tendencies to other learning difficulties.

He said the school had built up excellent community links in Silverdale, and he very much hoped that Nether Kellet would extend the same welcome to the pupils.

" These are children who are getting a second chance at life," he said.