NEIGHBOURS in an East Lancashire street have spoken of their relief that an ‘eyesore’ house with a grisly past is to finally receive a facelift.

Residents living close to 29 Stockbridge Road, in Padiham said the street had never ‘recovered’ from the murder of Alan Street, that took place there in December 2008.

The 26-year-old Oswaldtwistle man was murdered in what the judge described as a ‘deliberately prolonged and cruel attack’.

His killers Peter Leonard, 56, of Trinity Street, Oswaldtwistle, and Allan Palmer, 48, of Stockbridge Road, Padiham are now serving life behind bars.

Kieron Davidson, 25, of Lancaster Drive, Padiham, was also given eight years for manslaughter.

The terraced house which has stood empty for four years, apart from two short periods, has recently been sold to an investor who lives in Dubai for £35,000.

Dad-of-five Mark Ramshead, 32, who lives next door to the house, said: “Me and partner have lived here for about two and a half years and we still notice people looking in our window as they walk past as they are intrigued and not 100 per cent sure where the murder happened.

“It’s great news something is finally being done. On the inside its looks normal, it has been revamped since the murder.

“Since we’ve lived here we have only known of two very brief tenants living there. It was like the house was jinxed.

“Even with all the renovations, I don’t think I would ever be able to live there.”

The two bedroom house has recently been attacked by vandals and the front window has been boarded up after being smashed.

Fellow neighbour Lotta Turner, 49, said: “I am really pleased something is finally being done to sort out this property.

“It isn’t nice living next to a house that’s boarded up, as it makes it hard to be proud of where you live.

“We rent this house but it must have a negative affect on house prices in the area too.

“I think the house will be able to shed its horror house tag when it is renovated.”