A COUPLE have returned to the area where they lived 17 years ago as the first wave of housing renewal residents move into their new homes.

Eight bungalows have been completed under the first phase of the Elevate housing market renewal scheme and are now available to rent.

The properties, in Newark Street, Savoy Street and Lower Antley Street, Church, cost a total of £900,000 to develop.

Terence and Gloria Lee, and their parrot Polly, are among those who moved in this week. Almost two decades ago the couple lived in nearby Pearl Street, which has now been demolished as part of the area's regeneration.

They had been living in a terrace house in Hyndburn Street, Accrington, but it was no longer suitable for their needs.

Terence, 71, who worked in the hotel trade before he retired, said: "We've just moved from a two-up two-down terrace. It's much quieter here and the main thing is that there are no stairs."

Nurse Gloria, 59, said: "We applied 14 months ago and we were delighted to be offered a new home. It's spacious and warm with a modern kitchen and a walk-in shower and we have our own courtyard at the back.

"There are shops nearby and they're building a new health centre. We have everything on our doorstep."

George Parr, 67, was the first person to move in to one of the new homes, developed by Space New Living, part of Great Places Housing Group.

Mr Parr, a retired engineer who used to live in Monk Street, said: "I love it here. I had trouble with stairs at my old house so it's brilliant to have everything all on one level."

Neighbour and mother-of-three Jean Entwistle, 51, added: "I have severe arthritis and have needed surgery on my feet so I couldn't get up and down the stairs at the terrace house where I lived. Moving has given me a much better quality of life."

Residents of the bungalows, part of Elevate's Project Phoenix, will soon be joined by people moving in to 21 more affordable houses, owned and managed by Space. Work begins in the summer.

Max Steinberg, chief executive of Elevate, said: "This is a key step forward in our work to renew neighbourhoods and revitalise the housing market by giving people quality and choice."