RESIDENTS living in a street near a Darwen school and sixth form have complained that students are using their doorways as smoking shelters.

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy students nipping out for a cigarette between classes or at dinner time can be regularly seen huddling in doorways in Bank Street.

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And fed up residents said they were tired of being greeted by clouds of smoke and cigarette butts when they walk through their front doors.

Concerns have also been raised about parking in the road, which is used by teachers who work at the school. One resident said: “During the day the students are using a couple of houses as an ashtray.

“They are coming across and having a smoke and leaving all their cigarette ends.

“We wish they would put a smoking shelter in at the school.

“And the other problem is the teachers are all parking in Bank Street and the council has said it could put residents only parking in, but the issue with that is that worshippers at St Peter’s Church use the street for parking.”

The resident added: “I have lived here since 1984 and they assured us when they built DACA that we would not be affected.

“We are being affected. I have an elderly neighbour and when she opens her door there are youngsters smoking there.”

DACA principal Brendan Loughran said he would urge any residents with concerns to report them to the school directly. He said: “To the best of our knowledge students do not smoke in doorways in Bank Street.

“There have been incidents which, when reported to us, we have dealt with.

“We do not allow anyone to smoke on the academy and when this has happened we have spoken to the students and their response has been excellent.”

Mr Loughran said there should be no issues with staff parking as all members of staff who drive have been allocated a space in the school car park.

He said: “With respect to the parking we have not had any concerns for the past 18 months.

“It was a little bit difficult when the studio school was here as we had more staff.

“But when it has been brought to our attention we have spoken to the staff and they have duly obliged.”