A £2million package of improvements to council houses in Hyndburn has been unveiled.

The money will mean that work on restoring a neglected housing estate can finally be completed, much to the delight of councillors, who claim some houses haven't been touched for decades.

Hyndburn Council has unveiled year two of its Major Repair Allowance scheme, which is funded by the government and is expected to top £13.3million over 10 years.

Around £1.8million was spent on a variety of schemes across the borough last year, and councillors confirmed on Tuesday that £1.99million would be spent this year.

The cash will guarantee the completion of a project on the rundown Sands estate in Rishton to bring all homes up to a standard where people can get mortgages to buy them.

The first phase of structural and external repairs to dozens of houses in the Sands estate cost £243,000, and another £175,000 will be spent this year.

A further £40,000 will be spent in the area painting bungalows and repairing them.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "Sands is one the estates which has really needed money spending on it.

"Some houses haven't been touched for decades.

"The new system for MRA means we can spend it where it is needed, and Sands is one of those places."

Coun Russ Davies, the cabinet member for social housing, said: "Another £2million is being spent this year, and the whole project is worth £13million.

"Some of these areas, like Sands, have needed money spending on them for donkeys' years and it is good that we can finally spend it."

All of the schemes started last year have received funding to extend them into a second year.

Around £200,000 will be spent making houses more energy efficient, while more than £150,000 will be spent on each of the Laneside and Church Easiform estates to fit new doors, windows and insulation to properties.

Another £30,000 will help provide central heating in houses yet to have such a system installed.

And another £150,000 will be set aside for the expected demolition of the Within Grove estate.

Various new schemes are also being introduced, including:

£25,000 for new sheds, gutters and chimney repairs in the Haworth Avenue area

£50,000 to repair communal aerials;

£30,000 for external repairs at sheltered accommodation;

£30,000 for minor safety repairs.

Projects expected to start next year, subject to Government funding, including a five-year project to fit hundreds of new kitchens and bathrooms, and new heating systems.