A BOLTON man who has a caravan next to the proposed new prison near Morecambe is calling on other holidaymakers in the town to help kick out the scheme.

The Director General of the Prison Service, Richard Tilt wants to convert a former holiday camp at Heysham near Morecambe into a prison as part of a temporary solution to help solve the problem of Britain's overcrowded jails.

With the Government promising to send more people to prison and tougher sentences for persistent offenders, Mr Tilt wants to use the former Pontins camp, which was a summer retreat for 4,000 holidaymakers before its closure two years ago.

The complex was an internment camp during the Second World War. It is now proposed that it could accommodate low risk category C prisoners.

The scheme has already met with a storm of protest from local residents as well as the owners of holiday homes and caravans in the area. Ian Roscoe from Great Lever owns a static caravan at The Hawthorns caravan site which is virtually next door to the camp and is furious at the proposals.

He said: "The whole idea is crazy. No matter what they say we are not convinced it will be secure enough and we are worried that children and the other members of the public will be put at risk. I have young daughters who go for walks in the area when we go on holiday there and I would obviously fear for their safety if this went ahead.

"Even the most secure prisons cannot be completely escape proof so it should be no-where near residents or holiday-makers.

"It is a beautiful area and it will be ruined. If anyone does escape they will head straight for the caravans. It is also right next to a dock which makes it even more unsuitable. I am also concerned that it will end up being permanent because it will be very tempting to keep it there after three years." The Prison Service has admitted that the situation may be re-evaluated in three years time if it is thought there is still a need for the prison there.

The Service is applying to Lancaster City Council for planning permission for the site and has said it will appeal if turned down.

Mr Roscoe is calling on people to take part in a demonstration at the Arndale Centre in Morecambe on Saturday February 10 at 10.30am as part of the campaign to throw out the plan.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.