HYNDBURN council tenants can get a glimpse of how their homes will be improved if they vote 'yes' to the authority's plans to transfer its housing to a social landlord.

Hyndburn Homes, the not-for-profit housing organisation that would own and manage the borough's 3,500 council properties, has agreed to invest £35 million in the first five years on work to improve the standard of homes, which will include fitting new kitchens, bathrooms, double glazing and central heating.

But before tenants are balloted later this year on whether or not they agree to the transfer they will be able to see the changes promised by dropping into a new transfer information shop opened in the town centre yesterday.

Ken Bury, head of housing at Hyndburn Borough Council, said: "The Info-Shop will give tenants the chance to find out exactly how their homes would be improved if transfer goes ahead.

"Transfer would unlock the money needed for a wide range of improvements to homes and services, and I hope we will see as many tenants as possible visiting us to find out more."

Staff from the Hyndburn Homes Stock Transfer team will be on hand about the transfer, the refurbishment work and the improvements tenants could also expect to their estates and the housing service, which includes plans to tackle anti-social behaviour, provide better security, and introduce a new lettings policy to suit the housing needs in the area.

The council has proposed the transfer because it cannot afford to bring its properties up to the tenant-approved Hyndburn Homes Standard, which sets out the improvements needed to homes, estates and the housing service.

The Info-Shop will be open from 10am to 4pm, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, but will be closed Wednesday and Sunday.

Tenants will also be able to visit two display homes in Church and Springhill ahead of the ballot. Opening dates for these have yet to be confirmed.

For more information tenants can ring the Council's free transfer helpline on 0800 169 8359. Tenants can also get free, independent advice from Indigo on 0800 146702.