WAITING lists for rented housing in Blackburn and Darwen are set to be scrapped in a homes-to-let revolution.

A ground-breaking, choice- based lettings scheme is to be introduced this summer, after the authority won £450,000 from the government for a two-year pilot project.

The borough was one of only 27 successful local authority bids throughout the country chosen to implement a more customer-focused approach to the letting of social housing.

It means the council's former housing stock, now owned by Twin Valley Homes and other properties managed by six other housing associations, will be advertised and potential tenants will be able to choose where they want to live.

Rob Grigorjevs, project manager for the new lettings scheme, commented: "This scheme to be known as 'B-with -us' is set to turn homes-to-let on its head and is a major shift towards improving the service to the customer. Choice based lettings is a new way of making our homes available to customers. Instead of the old needs-based, 'points system' and us deciding what home tenants will be offered, they will be able to choose where they want to live."

From June, Blackburn and Darwen's 300-plus empty homes for rent will be advertised through a variety of different outlets.

These will include the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's weekly Homes supplement, community centres and the internet.

Would-be tenants will then be able to express their interest to the appropriate outlet.

Mr Grigorjevs said: "New customers will have to register with the scheme, but those previously on our lists will be automatically New customers will have to register with the scheme, but those previously on our lists will be automatically transferred, though everyone will have their previous circumstances fully checked.

"Each property will then be offered to the customer who has expressed an interest and been on the list the longest time."

He said the new scheme would adhere to Blackburn with Darwen's statutory obligations to the homeless and 'vulnerable, who will have priority -- but only for 12 weeks.

He believes the new scheme will be simple to use and easy to understand, reduce the number of empty properties which will improve the appearance of estates and make more money available to spend on other services provided by Twin Valley Homes.

Since the housing stock transfer in 2000, the non-profit-making landlord has pledged to spend more than £100million on upgrading properties.