SPIRALLING vandalism problems at Haslingden Football Club's derelict ground could be a thing of the past if ambitious plans to re-form a football team go ahead.

The amateur club plans to re-form and head back to the Ewood Bridge ground after it folded six years ago.

A new committee, headed by local athlete Lee Passco, is in negotiations with the owner of the ground with a view to securing a lease for their return to competitive football next season.

Lee, 27, a coach at Hyndburn Athletics Club, said the problems with youths vandalising the clubhouse and dugout at the Manchester Road ground would be prevented if it was being used.

Lee, who lives in Clarence Road, Accrington, with his wife and two young children, said: "Haslingden hope to join the East Lancs or West Lancs League and have already got around 15 players interested in joining the club.

"I have been driving past the club and thinking that it is such a shame to have a facility like this which isn't being used.

"It has been vandalised by youths who have nothing to do in the area so we would hope to set up a youth team to give them something to do. I have been door-knocking in the area to see what people think about the club re-forming and they have all been really positive.

"I am sure it would have a lot of support if a local team played there again."

They originally quit the North West Counties League in 1998 just a year after securing promotion to Division One.

Repeated appeals for more help running the club failed and a lack of local supportforced the club officials into the decision to fold.

Alan Schofield, Haslingden ward councillor, said: "I think this is fantastic news. It's really encouraging to hear that people are interested in helping the community in this way.

"There have been vandalism problems there because it has been left derelict for so long. I am sure this will be eradiated if it comes back into use."