BURNLEY has been given a £400,000 windfall from the Government to transform a residential area.

The money, from the Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions (DETR), will be used to create a Home Zone in south west Burnley.

Eight streets, in the Hudson Street to Westmorland Street area, will be revamped as part of the scheme.

Residents will be consulted by the council about how they would like to see the money spent, but possible work could include repaving, introducing parking zones and adding traffic calming features to the area.

Transport Minister Sally Keeble said; "Home Zones transforms the street life in our towns and cities and I am delighted that we are able to support these schemes.

"The money that we are investing will improve conditions for up to 18,000 households.

"With so many new Home Zones being developed as a result of the Challenge Fund, everyone will be able to see what one is like and decide what they want too.

"We hope that these ideas will become a routine part of urban design so that streets become public spaces of value to people, not just thoroughfares for traffic."

The creation of Home Zones was announced by the Prime Minister Tony Blair in April 2001, in a major speech about the quality and "liveability" of our public spaces.

The key feature of the zones is to ensure that traffic is kept to very low speeds by design. For existing streets this will usually mean re-paving with much wider pavements and possibly no kerbs.

Trees and shrubs may be planted and parking spaces designated for residents.

A better environment where people will want to come out of their homes, relax and talk to neighbours and where children can play safely is the aim of designers working on the scheme.

An area of public space close to Hudson Street has already been earmarked for transformation.

More money has been allocated for Home Zones in the North West that in any other part of the UK.

More than £2.8 million will be spent on improving the quality of life for up to 4,800 households in the region with 18,000 homes set to benefit nationally.

The news has been welcomed by Burnley MP Peter Pike. He said: "The local councillors and I are delighted by the success of this bid.

"The scheme will greatly improve an area of eight densely constructed terraced streets as well as the quality of life for the residents concerned."

A joint bid from Burnley Borough and Lancashire County Council secured the money. Councillor Steve Wolski, executive member for regeneration said: "Any money is welcome in Burnley but this is not a massive amount.

"Burnley needs a lot more money to tackle the serious problems we have got and over the coming months the council will be talking with the Government about this."

John Burrows, chairman of Accrington Road Residents Association, added: "Hopefully it will go some way to regenerating this part of town."