AN empty homes programme in an East Lancashire borough is set to reach a milestone as the 200th property is brought back into use.

Contractors on behalf of Calico Homes have put the finishing touches to a house in Burnley as part of a joint initiative with their development arm Ring Stones and Burnley Council.

Bosses say the scheme, now in its seventh year, saw 15 homes refurbished and let to new tenants last year - with another 15 to be overhauled before next March.

Another 30 have been secured for regeneration, say Calico chiefs, which will bring the overall tally to 200.

Twenty employment opportunities for workers in the local area have also been created by Ring Stones including apprenticeships, upskilling tradespeople and a site manager.

Wendy Malone, Calico's group property director, said: "We’re delighted to announce we will be renovating more properties across Burnley in the coming financial year, meaning we will have renovated more than 200 properties in Burnley since 2017.

"The scheme has been a resounding success and continues to have a huge impact on our communities. With the success of previous phases in the scheme, we’re looking forward to moving forward with the next phase.”

James Macaree, managing director at Ring Stones, added: “We’re delighted to have hit such a huge milestone on this fantastic project. We’re also pleased to have received brilliant feedback on the work being carried out by Ring Stones.

"The scheme has had a huge impact on the local area from jobs opportunities that have been created, to supporting community groups with the work carried out.

"We’re excited at what the future holds for this project and hope to build on our success.”

The empty homes programme was kickstarted with funding from Homes England. In 2021 the borough still had an estimated 1,832 vacant dwellings.

The aim has been to provide much-needed housing for local people with an urgent housing need or who might have otherwise struggled to find accommodation.