HOUSING bosses in Burnley have hit back at council critics who condemned the standard of workmanship at some under-renovation homes in the town.

Burnley and Padiham Housing chiefs say there have been problems with two jobs on a Brunshaw estate project and the company was working hard with its contractors and Norweb to resolve them to the tenants' complete satisfaction.

Independent group leader Harry Brooks told Burnley council some of the workmanship was sub-cowboy calibre and Coun Andrew Holder also expressed concern while Coun Andrew Rae questioned the qualifications of some of the workmen doing the jobs.

Now the company, which has embarked on a £6.5million programme of improvements just weeks after taking control of the whole of Burnley's former council house stock, has replied to the criticisms, stating that all the work was being carried out by contractors approved by national quality bodies.

Spokesman Alan Tyrrell said the firms were also closely vetted by the company before being allowed on the approved list of contractors.

He went on: "It can be seen that these works are giving considerable improvements to the homes of customers, who will be delighted with the result upon completion."

Mr Tyrrell said the company wrote to all customers living in homes due for improvement work as a matter of course, listing telephone numbers to enable them to give feedback on progress -- enabling a quick response to any queries or concerns.