AN £800,000 regeneration scheme to revamp two dilapidated streets has got under way.

Blackpool Street and South Shore Street, Church, are getting facelifts in order to encourage residents to take more pride in their properties.

Scaffolding has gone up and skips have been positioned to collect the debris.

Each home on the two streets will receive a free overhaul to the front of the property, including stone cleaning, painting, new roofs, roof insulation and rainwater collection systems.

Residents can then apply for an interest-free loan to carry out further improvements and repairs to their homes Six properties purchased with an Elevate Housing Market Renewal grant are also being completely refurbished.

Work has already started to strip out these properties, readying them for the start of main building work.

The properties will get new kitchens, bathrooms, rewiring and heating systems.

Hyndburn Council will then sell the six properties and use the profit to help fund further work on the two streets.

As part of the package, residents will also be able to apply for an interest-free loan to carry out improvements and repair to their homes.

Lancashire County Council has been engaged to carry out a series of street improvements. This will include a new heritage lighting scheme and a new build-out entrance feature into South Shore Street.

The aim is to create a heritage ambiance to the area, complementing the facelift work.

The street works will take place once the housing improvement work has been completed.

Coun Peter Britcliffe, leader of the council, said: "I am delighted that this scheme has started.

"I'm especially pleased to hear the residents on the streets and visitors saying how wonderful the work is, and how good the streets will look once finished.

"It makes all the hard work and investment by Hyndburn worthwhile."