ALMOST 1,800 homes in Hyndburn do not have central heating, it has been revealed.

The figure has been blamed on “some of the oldest housing stock in the country” by the borough’s housing boss.

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The council said 5.2 per cent of homes are currently without central heating — the third worst rate in the county and the 19th worst nationally.

Cabinet member for housing, Cllr Clare Cleary, said: “Hyndburn has some of the oldest housing stock in the country and, with a greater proportion of stone-built terraced housing than almost anywhere else in the country, this makes it very difficult to insulate and therefore reduce energy costs .”