A COUNCILLOR has demanded to know why answers to questions she posed about housing grants six months ago have yet to be answered.

Coun Jean Battle (pictured), an Accrington councillor, was blasted by Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe six months ago when she contacted the Lancashire Evening Telegraph with concerns about the distribution of housing grants.

Coun Battle had claimed many houses given grants by Hyndburn Council were now empty.

She had asked for an investigation to be launched into why this was happening and reassurances that action would be taken to make sure it did not happen again.

At the time, Coun Britcliffe said the matter would be addressed 'urgently.'

But at a full council meeting, Coun Battle stormed: "I still haven't had answers and these houses remain empty.

"Coun Britcliffe keeps talking about our chronic housing problems and how money is in short supply.

Coun Britcliffe said: "This is one of several issues, along with rent collection, which need checking.

"To this end, I have asked the chief executive to create a housing regeneration forum to keep a check on housing progress in Hyndburn."