Angry residents are fighting proposals for a children's home in a Bingley district village.

Bradford Council approved moves to look at a site in Carr Lane, East Morton, for one of its five new children's homes.

But villagers have set up an opposing petition and claim they were never consulted about the plan.

Campaigner Janet Purchon, who works at the Main Road post office, said: "We've been left in the dark and to us it looks as though it's all been done in secret.

"We are a quiet, crime-free backwater that some people don't even know exists and when you hear about homes like this you immediately think of delinquents.

"I'm so mad about it and hope we get some answers soon."

The petition is available for signing in the post office, the Busfeild Arms pub, Riddlesden mini market and Michael Boyer menswear shop, in Swine Lane.

On Tuesday the Council's executive committee supported five sites from a shortlist of 50 possible locations in the district.

Officers will now have to draw up plans and the scheme will go through the planning process.

The other four are: Owlet Centre, Shipley; Allerton Hall, Allerton Lane; Netherlands Square, Low Moor and Sowden House, Thornton, which has also sparked a massive protest. Council director of social services Alison O'Sullivan said new homes were needed because of the shortage of places in Bradford.

About 60 children are sent out of the district to be cared for, which can be expensive and separates children from friends and family.

"We are making arrangements to hold surgeries in East Morton to give people the chance to discuss the plans and raise any concerns with us before the planning process gets underway," she said.

"No decisions have been taken on the age range of children who may be cared for at the new homes but our homes are intended for young people aged ten to 16."