COUNCIL tenants in Hyndburn will play a key role in deciding the future of its 3,500 homes.

Six people have been appointed to the shadow board of a new housing organisation set up in partnership with Contour Housing Group.

It is part of the preparations for the proposed transfer of Hyndburn Council's homes to a social landlord next year

Tenants have yet to be balloted on the transfer but if they vote in favour, the board will ensure Contour Housing Group delivers its objectives.

Stock transfer is proposed as the council cannot afford to improve the homes to meet the Government's Decent Homes standard by 2010 or the locally-devised Hyndburn Homes Standard.

The six tenants - David Goodier, Barbara Ibbetson and Joan Laughland, all from Accrington; Heather Murphy and Kenneth Ritson, both from Oswaldtwistle, and Eddie Suddaby, from Great Harwood - were elected unopposed at Accrington Town Hall last week.

Five other places will be taken by independent members, with four going to Hyndburn councillors - the Conservatives's Peter Britcliffe and Tony Dobson, and Labour's Jean Battle and Tim O'Kane.

Some tenant members are also members of the Tenants' Participation Committee, which is already involved in the transfer talks.