THREE communities in Burnley have been announced as the areas where the town's share of regeneration cash will be spent.

Some £14million will be spent in the town over the next year as part of the Elevate project.

The cash, part of a £48million pot for East Lancashire, will see work like clearing unfit properties and facelifting homes continue in three areas of town - Burnley Wood, South West Burnley and Daneshouse, Duke Bar and Stoneyholme.

Council leader Gordon Birtwistle said: "We over- achieved again last year and will work hard to do so again.

"This year we will see new homes starting to be developed and we are expecting some first stage planning applications for new housing in the next few months, but this is a long process.

"Buying people's homes, helping them to find a new one, seeking relevant planning permission and, most importantly, consulting with communities, takes time.

"But we are getting there and we are determined to get this right to ensure all of the investment in Burnley makes a lasting difference."

Elevate funding joins £70million investment recently announced for a new Burnley College and University Campus, new secondary schools through the £250million Building Schools for the Future, and new retail, leisure, business and housing at the Weavers' Triangle.

Coun Martin Smith, responsible for housing and regeneration, said: "We are attracting investment on a scale never seen before to benefit all of the borough.

"But, in relation to Elevate funding, it is important that it is targeted carefully.

"It is about taking action to tackle deep-rooted housing problems in areas with the greatest need. This isn't to say we will not continue to deliver improved services in the rest of the town, because we will.

"But in the long run, fixing the most dysfunctional parts of the housing market will create ripples which will see the whole market take a step up.

"We need to get Burnley off the bottom of the housing league tables and make it known as a place that provides high-quality and affordable housing, good education, quality jobs and first-class services."