CAMPAIGNERS are furious that a controversial South Cheshire bail hostel has not been included in a list of UK hostels banned from housing child sex offenders.

Their Time 2 Go campaign has stepped up a gear, with letters and petitions on their way to Home Secretary John Reid demanding Linden Bank in London Road, at Sandbach, is included in the ban.

At the weekend Mr Reid an -nounced new rules banning child sex offenders from 11 government hostels near to schools and nurseries.

Linden Bank is close to two Elworth primary schools and Bunbury House, a similar facility at Ellesmere Port, is on the list.

Campaigner Liz Nickson said: 'After all our protests over Linden Bank, the news came as a slap in the face.

'Not only will sex offenders still be housed at Linden Bank, the facility could be forced to take more because there will be fewer spaces elsewhere for them.

'That's all wrong. There should be a blanket ban. It's as simple as that. If not, Linden Bank should close down. New letters are on their way to Mr Reid.'

The national move follows a News of the World campaign demanding that parents have the right to information on the whereabouts of dangerous paedophiles.

Working with Sara Payne - mother of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne - it has pushed for the introduction of Sarah's Law, empowering parents to protect their children from sex fiends secretly housed in bail hostels. Mr Reid has now ordered a review.

Mrs Nickson, a moth-er-of-four, added: 'It's heartening to see the issue make headlines, but we are not going to stand for Sandbach missing out on such an important decision. As part of the Time 2 Go campaign, friends and I checked the News of the World website and were shocked to see Sandbach excluded from the ban. We remain determined to fight on for the safety of our children.'