A WAR of words against plans to transform an exclusive detached house into a children's home took place behind closed doors last night.

Furious residents, who do not want four children to be cared for in the £425,000 home in Pocket Nook Road, Chew Moor, met councillors and members of Bolton Council's social services department at Tempest United Football Club.

They discussed the plans - put forward by the Boys and Girls Welfare Society - for two hours but did not come up with any solutions. The charity want to house four children, aged 11 to 16, and two full-time carers.

Work has already started on converting the house, which does not need planning permission because it will not house more than six children.

Social services is supporting the scheme and director Andy Robertson and assistant director Lynn Jones were both at the meeting.

Also at the talks were Cllr Madeline Murray, executive member for social services, leader of the council Bob Howarth, Howard Barratt, head of planning, local councillors Andy Morgan and Phil Ashcroft, as well as two representatives from the charity.

Ten residents represented more than 150 who oppose the scheme. They claim they were not consulted about the prospect of having a children's home on their doorstep. Cllr Howarth said: "There was certainly an exchange of views. I will be talking to the two party leaders in the next day or two and we will be looking at a few ideas. We don't like running into a dispute with residents and obviously we will let our views known soon.

"It was not a meeting of the same minds last night, I'm sorry to say."

A spokesman for social services said today: "Residents have asked elected members to consider undertaking a consultation exercise and a decision will be taken in the next few days."

Residents will meet again tomorrow at Tempest United Football Club at 7.30pm.