A REVOLUTIONARY housing scheme has been hailed a success after helping attract hundreds of people into empty homes.

Launched six months ago, B-with-us -- a national pilot scheme -- aimed to get rid of waiting lists for housing associations by making it easier for people to rent houses in Blackburn with Darwen.

It is run by seven housing associations with support from Blackburn with Darwen Council giving potential tenants the chance to choose where they lived, rather than be awarded a house when they reached the top of a waiting list.

Instead of point-scoring every applicant to see what priority they should be given, people are deemed a priority candidate or not. Every empty housing association house is posted on a website. Those deemed a priority get first refusal if several people have applied, and if they say no it is offered to someone else.

It means waiting lists no longer exist and houses are being filled more quickly. Six months on 760 houses have been let.

Many houses were empty because there was no one in the waiting list who needed that type of accommodation, but have now been filled since attracting interest on the internet.

Margaret Burrows, project manager for B-with-us, said: "We're delighted. B-with-us benefits lots of people because everyone searching for a new home to rent now has the biggest range of properties in the area to choose from."

An average of 84 inquiries have been received every day since launch. Mrs Burrows added: "Feedback has been favourable. Finding a home through this scheme is very simple.

"We attract customers from all sections of the community, including younger people, single people and the elderly. The ease of access and the choice of homes available means more people see renting from us as a serious alternative to buying or renting privately. The scheme was designed to make it easier for people to find a home and that has happened."

The pilot scheme continues until March, and the council is looking for funding to make it a permanent service.

The houses in the B-with-us scheme are also advertised in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's weekly property section.