A COMPANY has been ordered to pay over £1,900 after failing to make improvements to an eyesore property in what has been dubbed ‘East Lancashire’s worst street’.

Hyndburn Council have asked London-based Dairmiles Development Ltd to carry out work at the house at 82 Spring Street, Rishton.

It then issued a notice requiring leaking gutters at the property, which has been empty since 1985 and is in a ‘state of severe disrepair’, to be fixed.

But after the owners failed to comply with the notice, the authority took them to court.

Dairmiles Development Ltd were found guilty in its absence, at Blackburn magistrates court, of failing to comply with the notice served under section 59 of the building act 1984.

They were fined a total of £1375 and ordered to pay costs of £550. The company has now put the property up for sale.

Cllr Clare Cleary, cabinet member for housing said the owners left the authority with no choice but court action.

Cllr Cleary said: “This property at 82 Spring Street has been empty since 1985 and is in a state of severe disrepair.

“The owners left us no choice but to take them to court to get the work done, despite enforcement officers making many requests and then issuing a notice requiring the leaking gutters to be fixed.”

It is one of several enforcement actions which are being carried out on Spring Street to support a £500,000 regeneration scheme.

“This will see the street enhanced with the front of the properties cleaned, painted and repointed, along with some new windows and doors," added Cllr Cleary.

Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson announced earlier this year that the street would receive the money to offer housing and employment opportunities.

Cllr Parkinson said the work in the area has been inspired by similar renovation work carried out in Accrington and the multi-million pound Woodnook regeneration scheme.

He said that he wants to not just focus on Accrington for improvement across Hyndburn. The council hopes to build on improving the area after 13 three-bedroom houses, 62 two-bedroom apartments and 62 one-bedroom apartments were approved for development in 2011.

At the peak of its problems in 2010, the street was subject to 66 arson attacks.

Dairmiles Development Ltd were unavailable for comment.