A COUNCIL has pledged to make a start on regenerating a run-down area of Accrington by knocking down poor quality housing.

But it has warned it will need government cash to complete the work which could cost around £6million.

Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe said the scheme in the Lower Antley area of the town, which has 321 properties, would involve clearing the worst affected rows of houses and looking at renovating other homes.

An officers report, which was presented to a housing regeneration committee, said some of the houses are so bad that owners even have difficulties getting estate agents to put their homes on the market.

Coun Britcliffe said: "I am well aware of the plight of people in that area but if we used all the Single Regeneration Budget money we have secured, we wouldn't be able to pay for demolishing all the properties.

"We have got to start regeneration as soon as possible but we do not have the money just to bring the houses down. We are going to lobby government and given support we hope we will find a long-term solution."

A study of housing in the Lower Antley area shows it has a very high proportion of poor quality housing and empty properties, and it is not regarded as an undesirable place to live.

Meetings with residents have shown that around two in three are in favour of the properties being renovated while a third prefer clearance.

An officers' report states: "Lower Antley shows many features which lead me to conclude that the area is in terminal decline. Owners have difficulty even getting estate agents to put their properties on the market."

Streets in the area include parts of Blackburn Road, Holland Street, Lonsdale Street, Lower Antley Street, Newark Street, Pearl Street, Percival Street, Poland Street, Porter Street, Rutland Street, Savoy Street and Star Street.