PREMIERSHIP star Garry Flitcroft has come up against strong opposition - from a group of pensioners battling to save a footpath in the street where he grew up.

The Blackburn Rovers player and his father, John, own G and J Properties which wants to shut the path in Lower house Walk, Bromley Cross, next to a block of flats which the company has spent £1 million on renovating.

But elderly residents are appealing to Bolton Council to protect the ginnel between number 23 and 25 which is just doors away from where Garry grew up.

The pensioners argue that the alleyway in Lower House Walk, Bromley Cross, leads directly to the shops, health centre and library in The Crescent next door.

But the firm claims the path is a magnet for youths and must be shut to protect residents of the luxury flats which the company bought 18 months ago.

It plans to build a gardening store room to block the entrance to the path which backs on to the flats,Thomas Court. The short cut has been temporarily shut since the middle of last year while the flats were renovated.

Vera Tannahill, aged 75, who has lived in the area for 40 years, said: "These houses were here before the flats and the path was built to give easy access to the facilities.

"It's a direct route and without it we have to trek right around. Most of us are elderly and don't have cars." Her friend, Vera Allen, aged 69, said: "The Flitcroft boys used to play around here when they were younger. I doubt they'd want their mother having to walk all the way around.

"They say there's always kids boozing in the passageway but that's a load of rubbish."

But Mike Quigley, agent for the firm, said: "There are problems with youths gathering there and not long ago they started a fire. There have been break-ins and needles have been found.

"We've spent a million pounds developing the flats, which were an eyesore before, and attracting the right sort of people to the area.

"I think Garry has made a special effort because he grew up around there. I can't believe people are complaining.

"The older people will have to walk a little further but would they rather risk being mugged in a dark and dangerous alleyway?"

Principal planning officer for the council, Richard Knight, said it was considering the application

"It is still early days and we are consulting residents. Their views are very important."