RESIDENTS in one of the most rundown parts of Accrington say they are fed up of waiting for work to begin on a regeneration project.

Householders had hoped demolition work would start on Project Phoenix at Christmas, but Hyndburn Council's regeneration chief Nigel Rix says the council has so far managed to buy less than half of the properties earmarked for demolition.

Work is now scheduled to start in the next few months, he said.

The £25 million project will transform parts of Blackburn Road with the clearance of 180 to 200 houses which will be replaced with new houses for rent.

So far the council has bought 40, with another 20 going through the sale process.

In August, Mr Rix said the first phase of building for Project Phoenix could start this summer but the council is still completing its compulsory purchase order for the first demolition area -- the even numbers of Lonsdale Street and the odd numbers in Pearl Street.

"Nothing's happening. They are supposed to be knocking houses down, but I haven't seen anything happen," said Joan Pilkington, secretary of West Accrington Residents Association.

"The general feeling is people are wondering if the money is still there. Alarm bells are beginning to ring. Are they waiting for Elevate East Lancashire money because they have spent it. It's a long time for people living there now. Things should have happened ages ago. It's just gone on too long."

But Mr Rix said: "The council is buying an increasing number of homes in the area, but we need to look at the situation from the perspective of the remaining residents. It would not be feasible or humane to start demolition until a complete terrace was available for demolition. Otherwise, residents are going to be seriously inconvenienced.

"I wouldn't want to put a specific time on it, but it will be during the next few months. It's dependent on the progress of purchasing a few properties."

Funding for the project has come from a variety of sources, including Hyndburn Council, which has put £300,000 in for the last three years.

The Elevate East Lancashire (EEL) bid would also add £1.6million if it were successful and Hyndburn First was awaiting the outcome of a £2million bid to the Single Regeneration Budget, Mr Rix said.

"I would expect confirmation of that in the next two weeks. The resources being invested in West Accrington are being substantially increased by this external funding.

"Project Phoenix will increase by £1.6million if the EEL bid is successful."

In addition, the project was allocated £500,000 from the early wins programme -- part of the Elevate East Lancashire scheme.

"We are talking about public resources of more than £5million going into that project.

"All these resources together will enable us, during the next two or three years, to complete the requisition and clearance of the whole Project Phoenix phase one area.

"We will then be acquiring and clearing further areas of Blackburn Road between phase one and the Sacred Heart Church."