A borough's housing boss has been asked to look at bringing more areas of a borough under a selective landlord licensing scheme.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive members for the environment Cllr Jim Smith was tackled on the issue as the authority's executive board approved two new areas for selective landlord licensing.

The senior councillors started the process of introducing new controls in Ewood and Mill Hill.

The borough's Conservative opposition group leader Cllr John Slater said: "We welcome this.

"I would like to see this done elsewhere.

"In would like to get as many areas as possible."

Cllr Smith said: "The hoops you have to jump through to get this in place are incredible. You have to prove a need."

A formal consultation process with residents, landlords and other parties in Ewood and Mill Hill is now under way.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has previously introduced selective landlord licensing in Griffin area of Blackburn and two parts of the Infirmary district as well in two parts of Darwen.

All have now expired and the council is currently considering whether to reimpose some or all of them.

A report by borough environment boss Cllr Jim Smith to the executive board said: "Selective licensing is intended to address the impact of less engaged private landlords and anti-social tenants.

"In an area subject to selective licensing, all privately-let properties must be licensed and if they are let without being licensed, or fail to comply with licensing conditions, the authority can take enforcement action."