EMPTY and derelict homes which attract squatters, rats and drive residents away will be brought back into use, the government has announced.

Towns across Lancashire will receive £7.6 million to be spent on refurbishment, with Hyndburn in line for the largest allocation in the county with £1.9 million.

Burnley has been allocated £1.8m, while Pendle will receive £669,000, with £413,000 for Blackburn with Darwen.

Chorley will get £183,000 and Rossendale £36,000.

Ribble Valley has not been allocated any funding.

Hyndburn Council’s housing boss Clare Pritchard said the large allocation for her borough was, in part, due to the extent of its housing problems, but said the government had also been impressed with the council’s plans to tackle the issue.

She said: “We had to bid for this money and we are very happy to receive it.

“It will help us continue our good work.

“We do have a significant problem but we are also effective at dealing with it.”

There are around 2,300 empty properties in the borough, and 200-300 of these could be turned around with the new cash, she said.

Communities minister Don Foster, announcing the national scheme worth £91million, said: “The government is doing everything possible to tackle the problem of empty homes.

“This will bring people, shops and jobs back to once abandoned areas, and provide extra affordable homes.”

Andy Rose, Homes and Communities Agency chief executive, said: “We had a very encouraging response to the funding, which will help to reinvigorate our communities and towns.”