WORK has begun to repair the wall of a house which collapsed on New Year's Day.

A team of council workmen have made the building, in Franklin Street, Darwen safe by shoring up the side against further collapse. The area is still fenced off.

Large stones were sent crashing to the floor by the collapse, which occurred at about 7am.

An alleyway which is used frequently by children in the area was blocked and at the time residents said it was lucky no-one was about.

The end-terraced house had been declared unfit for human habitation by housing officers from Blackburn with Darwen Council in March with strict instructions given to the owner to maintain and secure the property.

The house was meant to be empty in April but the owner was brought back into court in September for breaching the order. He was fined £1,000 by a court and he was told he would be fined every day the house was occupied.

The property is believed to be unoccupied since September.

Previously the council said the owner is to be made to pay for the work carried out so far because it is a privately owned home.

Any further work will have to be commissioned by the owner, who is believed to be on holiday in India.

A council spokesman confirmed the work was carried out by council employees. They said: "Work has been carried out to make the property safe by contractors working on behalf of the Council. Work was completed this week."