COUNCIL estates in Leigh have been labelled "hotspots" of decline by housing chiefs.

Hag Fold North, Atherton, Higher Folds and the Plank Lane Estate have been named by director of housing Peter Gee as some of the most unpopular areas in the borough.

He said a "spiral of decline" had taken hold and is formulating an action plan to tackle it.

The estates got the "hotspot" status from indicators on theft, vandalism, employment, tenants wanting transfers and tenants in arrears.

Of the 27,000 council properties in the borough, 4,000 to 5,000 were described as unpopular hotspots with 3,000 to 6,000 said to be in popular, clearly sustainable neighbourhoods.

Mr Gee wants tenants to help formulate a business plan to halt the decline.

Council tenants told housing officers their quality of life was affected mainly by how safe their community was and its appearance.

The action plan, which it is hoped will be implemented in April 2001, aims to provide financial and practical support for the borough's 18 existing Tenants' and Residents' Associations and to support the start up of at least six new groups.

Half of the tenants should have the opportunity of joining an association and it aims to develop at least one local Tenant "compact".

Two additional Tenant participation officers will be appointed to support individual associations.