FURIOUS residents have told a drugs charity to stay away from their community after coming face to face with its bosses for the first time.

A meeting between Changing Lives – the York-based organisation proposing to convert The Melbourne pub into a dry facility for people in recovery – and those living in the area, was a heated affair from start to finish.

Families and pub regulars made it clear they admire the group’s work, but do not want another facility on their doorstep which helps former addicts.

The nearby Peasholme Centre for the homeless, in Fishergate, Ordnance Lane hostel and a children's home can all be found within a short walk from the Cemetery Road pub.

This has led to residents calling on the charity to drop their plans before they are submitted to City of York Council, and find an alternative space.

Some attending the meeting were angered the centre would be close to primary schools and a care home.

Eileen Ronan, director of Changing Lives, said: "What we will be doing is providing a place where members of the community who are in recovery, and what I mean by this is those individuals no longer are using any substances and have made an active choice to remain abstinent, can come to in order to continue their lives in a positive in meaningful way."