CHAMPIONING the rights of children is the drive behind plans to set up a home for four youngsters in Bentham.

While the majority of Craven's children take their home lives for granted, other youngsters find themselves in desperately sad circumstances and unable to stay in their family homes.

Ridgway Park School, at Silverdale, helps such children and is now turning a former Bentham Grammar School boarding house into a "family dwelling unit" for four children.

However, town councillor Felicity Hey, referring to the THYNC project and the Evaglades residential home for adolescent girls in Low Bentham, said she feared Bentham would become "a dumping ground for children with problems".

The council has also received a letter from six householders who live near Ford House.

In it they say that while they appreciate young people need to be helped they felt they should stay within their own community.

Headteacher of Ridgway Park, Barry Bryn said: "As soon as you mention 'children's home' people think 'what's going to happen here', but we have to champion our children.

"The neighbours have been absolutely lovely. They said someone had approached them with a petition against our plans, but they had refused to sign it.

"We are always willing to talk to people and say come and see us.

"The house in Bentham is ideal for a family dwelling, it's a lovely home and that's what children need," added Mr Bryn.

"There will be a maximum of four children and probably a couple of them will have a statement of special educational needs which covers the broad spectrum of emotional behavioural difficulties including dyslexia and autism."

The home will be open shortly and the first residents will be four boys aged 14 and 15.

"These are responsible children," said John Bolton, the current deputy head, who will take over the headship of the school from Mr Bryn in September.

"I have heard all the rumours. These children are not criminals, they are normal, decent kids who need a family environment.

"There is no way we would ever have more than five children at Ford House.

"We want to be part of the community and while the children will come to Ridgway School we want them to be involved in local sports clubs."

Bentham town councillors have agreed to meet with staff from Ridgway Park and anyone wanting more information is asked to contact the school on 01524 702072.