AN investigation has been launched after scaffolding along a row of terrace houses in Burnley collapsed causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to parked cars.

The scaffolding in Clarence Street, which came crashing down in the early hours of Sunday, was put up by contractors working for Burnley Borough Council.

The council is now holding talks with the contractor to find out what caused the collapse.

Andrew Rolfe, the council's principal architect said: "Staff were distressed to learn that damage was caused when scaffolding erected by an appointed contractor unexpectedly collapsed."

Council staff were called to the scene soon after the incident and removed the dangerous scaffold from the highway and made the remaining scaffold safe.

Mr Rolfe said: "The on-site contractor has full responsibility for health and safety concerns once they have commenced works.

"Council officers are currently in talks with the contractor to ascertain the reasons for the incident and to ensure a swift and satisfactory resolution with the residents affected."

Cars parked in the street suffered dents and broken windows and the road was littered with smashed glass.

The scaffolding had been put up in preparation for sandblasting works to take place to the houses in Clarence Street.

Paul Howarth, 35, returned from a family holiday late on Saturday night and was woken just hours later to find the windscreen of his Rover 214 shattered and the boot of the car damaged.

He said: "I heard a sound and went running to the window. The scaffolding had fallen right across the street.

"It has definitely caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and the cars took the brunt of it. It's really frightening because it makes you think it could have fallen at any time."

The incident has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which is waiting for a written report from the contractor before deciding whether to take further action.

A spokesman said: "The Health and Safety Executive has been made aware of what has happened. The company is looking into what happened and we will be waiting to see whether we need to take any follow-up action once we have seen the company's report."