MINISTERS have been told to speed up action to tackle East Lancashire's housing problems.

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice kept up the pressure when he tackled local government minister Barbara Roache.

He wants an early decision on the money needed for the newly-dedicated East Lancashire Pathfinder area and to 'elevate' the organisation set up to co-ordinate renewal in the sub-region.

The Government has promised hundreds of millions of pounds for nine such areas across England and East Lancashire has bid for £670million over 10 years.

Mr Prentice told Mrs Roache, responsible for urban regeneration: 'I welcome Pathfinders in areas such as my own where the housing market has completely collapsed, but rather than more plans, strategies and assessments, people want to see a visible change on the ground.

"Can you assure me that the Pathfinder areas in Burnley and Pendle will be adequately resourced so that the crumbling and rotten houses can be torn down?"

Mrs Roache replied: "I have to say that is exactly what is happening. Action is being taken. underground I have seen the Pathfinders in action and demolition is taking place.

"Some of the old crumbling houses are going. New mixed housing is taking place and communities are being revitalised.

"The involvement of local people and action plans are necessary to achieve that."

East Lancashire has already received some money to start work on the project and a full strategy for the area is expected to be submitted to the Government later this year.

After the exchange this week in the Commons, Mr Prentice said: "People don't expect a new Jerusalem tomorrow but they need to know what is happening and when."