PEOPLE living in a rundown area of Burnley have been told they have the right to appeal against a decision to demolish their homes.

Plans for a £1million scheme aimed at rejuvenating Daneshouse hit a snag after elderly residents said they didn't want to move.

Daneshouse with Stoneyholme ward councillor Rafique Malik is encouraging anybody who does not agree with the plans to exercise their rights.

He said: "In Burnley there are around 4,000 to 5,000 surplus houses, this has had a tremendous detrimental affect on the housing market.

"But all residents who are involved in the clearance proposals do have a right to object and I would urge them to exercise their rights.

"I fully appreciate the fears that residents have and would encourage anybody who wants to talk to me about their concerns to contact me."

The clearance proposals will take three years and will involve demolishing more than 50 houses around Grey Street, Ardwick Street, Holbeck Street and Abel Street in Daneshouse.

The £1,193, 675 scheme will cover the costs of compulsory purchase orders, demolition and relocation costs for residents. People will be given relocation grants to move to other properties within the Daneshouse area.

Serious disrepair, structural instability and vacancy rates of up to 92 per cent in some streets in the area have led to high levels of disorder.

Work on demolishing the properties, many of which are already boarded up, will now begin later in the year.

Houses in the area have sold for as little as £1,000.