MORE than 8,000 households would like to move out of Burnley but are trapped in the town, according to a new survey.

The Housing Needs and Market Assessment survey reveals the major reasons for not being able to move include negative equity, lack of cash or lack of suitable housing in the desired location.

The report was completed for Burnley Council by the Northern Housing Consortium to help assess the current housing market in the town and to plan for new development.

The study involved a random survey of 21,225 households across all wards in the borough with a response of 5,301.

Some of the key results also showed that there will be demand for 853 additional houses in the borough over the next five years and that almost 900 households are planning to move out of the town in the next 12 months to move to a better area.

Those planning to move out of Burnley have a higher income than those staying, with a third earning more than £1,730 per month.

In contrast almost half of those planning to move within Burnley earn less than £863 a month.

The report showed that almost half of households contained someone with an illness or disability, mostly arthritis, mobility problems or asthma.

Almost half of those surveyed said there was a serious problem with litter, 40 per cent felt there was a problem with policing and almost 40 per cent said children hanging around was a problem.

More than 60 per cent of residents questioned said they were happy with where they lived with the most satisfied in Cliviger, Worsthorne, Briercliffe, and Whittlefield with Ightenhill.