HOUSING association Calico has further boosted its skilled workforce by adding a team of 10 gas engineers to their 50-strong repairs team.

The gas servicing and repairs contract, the most important service for the comfort and safety for Calico's 4,600 households, was previously operated by a company from outside the area.

However, after listening to customers, it was agreed that a better and more reliable service could be delivered if the landlord, recently named as one of the best employers in the country, recruited and managed its own gas repairs team.

Calico's head of homeworks, Anthony Duerden, said: "I'm proud to say we've now got a team of local gas tradesmen, employed in Burnley, delivering a better service than ever.

"We're in a position to train and develop our new team to be the best, and that's good for them, good for customers, and great for the local economy."

Calico's gas repairs team is now working in the area and should be ready to carry out gas repairs for home-owners as part of its private Home Emergency service this December.