A SENIOR government minister chatted with elderly residents about their housing concerns ahead of today's cash announcement.

Pensions minister Ian McCartney visited the Walmsley Court sheltered accommodation complex in Accrington.

Edith Holden has lived at the centre only since December but she already said felt safer than in her old house in Pear Street, Accrington.

Mr McCartney told the group East Lancashire had a strong case to benefit from a large chunk of the money.

Mrs Holden, who celebrated her 76th birthday on Friday, bought her house with her husband 16 years ago and thought she would be there for life.

But she said over the years the area became run down, people moved out and her home was no longer the safe haven it had been.

She said: "It was very nice to begin with. People started moving out and then it went down hill. There were a lot of empty houses, there weren't many of us left.

"I got the chance for this bungalow and I took it. Everyone is friendly, there's a warden and he rings every morning to see if you are all right.

The money from the Pathfinder Project was a welcome boost for the area, she said.

But all is not rosy at the 29-bungalow complex which opened in October, 1983.

Former warden Joan Unsworth said there had been a problem with youth nuisance over the last couple of years which unsettled the residents.