A DEVASTATING picture of life in Hyndburn's most deprived areas has prompted calls for millions of pounds in government help to improve housing.

The Hyndburn Neighbourhood Renewal Panel report comes as it was confirmed that Housing Minister Lord Falconer is to visit the borough next month to see the scale of the area's decaying homes crisis.

His visit was prompted after Hyndburn revealed it needs £200m to bring homes up to scratch, with 9,000 of the 30,000 homes needing work.

Panel chairman Coun Marion Raynor told Hyndburn Council Cabinet the areas were plagued by rats, derelict houses, crime, fly tippers, irresponsible private landlords and residents who "lived like pigs."

The issue came to a head with the publication of the report after four months of investigation by the panel's six councillors and three council officers, who have been consulting with residents of Woodnook area of Barnfield Ward, Church and Central Wards .

Mrs Raynor called on Hyndburn MP Greg Pope to meet councillors to discuss the problems and put the case to the Government for more money.

She also demanded tougher action against absent landlords who neglected their properties, Government funding for a house demolition programme of properties beyond repair and a new health centre on Blackburn Road.

Mr Pope said he would be happy to meet with the councillors and supported a demolition programme and new health centre, blaming the problems on 40 years of neglect from all governments including the present one.

He also admitted the region's problems were the result of a "collective political failure" of all politicians, including himself.

Now Lord Falconer, a close friend of Prime Minister Tony Blair, has confirmed to Mr Pope that he will visit Accrington and the rest of the constituency to discuss the problems on Friday October 19.

Mrs Raynor said: "Private landlords are guilty of taking on people who just don't care. Large parts of these areas are plagued by many problems as a result of these irresponsible people and we feel the courts are not making a sufficient example of them.

"Decent people want a cleaner environment but there are some who live like pigs."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "These wards show classic symptoms of urban deprivation and are among the most deprived in the country, with millions of pounds each year spent on disorder and vandalism.

"We need to demolish hundreds of derelict houses and then improve those areas once the derelict houses have gone."