BURNLEY has been handed more than £18million to tackle housing problems - but councillors say it is not enough.

Executive members are next week set to approve a budget of almost £18.5million which will help to regenerate some of the town's crumbling accommodation.

More than £14.5million of the cash will come from Elevate, the organisation set up to improve housing across Pennine Lancashire.

But councillors are furious that the borough's housing capital grant - the money handed to council bosses by the Government - has been slashed by almost £800,000 to £2.2million.

Coun Martin Smith, executive member for regeneration and housing, said: "New housing underway and a huge facelifting programme made last year a success - but that was last year.

"Today, we still have families who live next to boarded up houses, elderly people in fear of arson attacks - the most vulnerable in our society.

"Their need is urgent. They are my concern and that is why I am calling for more funding, not less, and certainly not a cut of almost £1million from our housing capital grant."

Money given to town halls goes towards paying for new housing, refurbishments, demolitions, energy efficiency initiatives and grants for disabled facilities and home repairs.

However, Coun Smith said the Government should hand over more cash to boost Burnley and continue its revival.

He added: "The Government needs to keep its promises by increasing funding, not cutting it, and honouring its long-term commitment to Burnley.

"With more funding, we could do more."

Work is currently ongoing to demolish around 3,000 abandoned homes in Burnley and council chiefs say they are also working with developers and housing associations on new properties.

Regeneration and housing director Mike Cook said: "We are determined to drive through the change necessary to improve those neighbourhoods in most need of support across the borough."