TENANTS who fail to pay their rent on time are being threatened with eviction from their homes as part of a hard-hitting new campaign.

Burnley and Padiham Community Housing is once again targeting tenants who owe the company money through rent arrears.

The current campaign uses a mixture of posters and letters delivered to debtors' homes and adverts on a local radio station.

Since taking over the housing stock from Burnley Borough Council in March 2000, Burnley and Padiham Community Housing has been getting much tougher with those in debt.

During a similar campaign in November and December 2002 20 families were evicted.

A spokesman said: "Rent is the responsibility of every tenant. At the end of the day tenants have to ensure their rent is paid.

"We are not proud of those numbers we have evicted, but if tenants avoid talking to us about their problems and don't respond when we try to contact them, then there is little else we can do. Suffering the consequence is up to them.

"But it doesn't have to be that way, all anyone who has rent arrears has to do is call us. We have two numbers available that will put the in direct contact with the Arrears Team.

"Once tenants call for help we will work out a plan with them where they can pay off their debt and still keep their home. It doesn't seem that difficult to us."

The campaign, which starts with a mailing targeted to arrive on debtor's doormats on Monday February 17 and runs for two weeks.

Once the campaign has ended any debtors who have not responded can expect actions to be put in place that will ultimately result in eviction.

Anyone with arrears is urged to call Burnley and Padiham Community Housing on 01282 664754 or 664759.