BURNLEY Council has approved plans to refurbish more than 200 homes as part of multi-million pound plans to rejuvenate some of the borough's most deprived areas.

At a meeting of the Executive last night members voted in favour of detailed proposals identifying the first 54 houses to be improved.

The council's Executive Committee agreed last month to commit more than £1.7million of the £15m it was awarded by the Government under the housing market renewal programme Elevate to improving houses in the Colne Road and Accrington Road areas.

The homes in Coal Clough Lane, Prestwich Street, Accrington Road, Blannel Street and Hudson Street will be given a face-lift in the next 12 months.

A further 186 homes will be improved in 2005/06 at a cost of £1.3m and a report detailing which houses will be included in this will be brought before the Executive later this year.

Last night members were told that a quick decision was needed on this year's face-lifting programme so that improvements could go ahead according to the strict timetable set out for the spending the Elevate money.

Speaking at the meeting, council leader Councillor Stuart Caddy said: "We welcome this report. Residents in South West Burnley were convinced that we had taken away their face-lifting schemes to put the money into Burnley Wood. But we said we would be giving the money back them.

"These proposals show that we will carry out the promises we gave to those residents."

The council decided to refurbish houses in the Colne Road area because it is one of the most important gateways to the town and would allow the funding to be used to make a major visual impact.