Lancashire empty homes project handed £4.8m

A bid to bring hundreds of empty houses back into use across Lancashire has secured £4.8m of government money.

The money will be used to repair and renovate 474 empty homes across Rossendale, Burnley, Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle and Hyndburn.

The funding, from the Homes and Communities Agency, is aimed at tackling long-term empty properties.

It is hoped they will be back in use before March 2015.

Councillor Peter McCann, Burnley Council's executive member for housing and development, said: "Empty properties can be a magnet for anti-social behaviour such as vandalism and fly-tipping, as well as more serious issues such as arson and other criminal activity.

"Bringing empty houses back into use is good news for the surrounding community as well as creating a wider choice for potential homeowners."