RESIDENTS in Burnley Wood are celebrating after being told that their homes have been saved from demolition.

The last minute reprieve for numbers 185 to 195 Oxford Road was announced at a meeting of Burnley Council's executive committee last night.

The block was part of a longer stretch of the road due to be pulled down to make way for a new housing development, including 40 bungalows.

But because the block is on the end of the row and the houses are fully occupied and in good condition councillors decided to take it off the demolition plans.

Tony Bottomley, 42, and his fiancee Lindsay Taylor, 32, who were told their home could be bulldozed just two months after they bought it were today relieved at the decision.

Welder Tony said: "I am over the moon. I am just sorry that we have had to go through all this turmoil in the first place.

"Now Lindsay and I can get on with our lives in our new home and start to make it our own."

Tony's mum Barbara, 65, who lives two doors down and whose home was also under threat, said: "I am not being melodramatic but it is a great relief.

"I am definitely pleased with the outcome, in fact I am over the moon about it. I did not want to be moving at my age, it would have been too much.

"It has been a great worry and last night was the first night's sleep I have had for a long time."

Dorothy Booth, 83, who has lived in Oxford Road for 50 years, added: "It's great news. I have been worrying about it and it is a relief that it has turned out this way.

"There are good houses and there is nothing wrong with them. These are the best houses around here. They have everything you want and have been well looked after."

Speaking at last night's meeting executive committee member Councillor Peter Kenyon said: "One quick look at these houses shows that they are in good condition and in our view it is not necessary to remove that block to achieve an area capable of being redeveloped."