THE majority of privately owned homes in Blackburn's Bank Top Ward were branded unfit for human habitation in a new report.

The area falls well below the average standard of housing in the borough, with 55 per cent of the private Bank Top houses labelled unfit compared to a borough average of just 32 per cent.

And the older the property, the more likely it is to be in a state of disrepair with pre-1919 buildings faring much worse than those constructed since the war, according to the survey for Blackburn Borough Council's Housing Committee.

Bank Top's Councillor Mohammed Khan said: "It was something I was not expecting. I have seen the report about the absolutely appalling conditions and I am very concerned.

"I know we have some money left over which was going to be spent in 1998 - maybe now we will be able to bring that forward. We will be pushing to do whatever we can for the residents."

More than half of all the homes have defective bathrooms, heating systems, food preparation areas, drainage and ventilation, the survey reveals.

On top of these failings, the properties are plagued with serious structural problems and damp.

But most owners do not have the cash to make the vital improvements needed to bring them up to scratch, four out of five needing a grant to help pay for the work.

The area is already recognised as the third most deprived in the borough and has been granted renewal area status, which means the council will draw up a plan of action.

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