WORK has begun on demolishing two blocks of flats in the heart of Blackburn -- piece by piece.

Blowing the blocks up was ruled out in favour of pulling them down because of the number of other properties nearby.

In the place of the two demolished buildings, built in the 1960s when high-rise flats were seen as the solution to the nation's housing problems, 29 houses will be built, aimed mainly at families.

Two of the three blocks of flats in Larkhill, off Barbara Castle Way, are currently being prepared for demolition -- ending their 30 year tenure on Blackburn's landscape.

Ribble House and Pendle House are currently being stripped of their windows before being demolished in sections. A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesman said the owners of the blocks, Space Housing Association, which bought them from the council, had chosen to demolish them slowly rather than blow them up.

Two blocks of flats at Mill Hill were demolished in controlled explosions last year, while another set in the Daisyfield area of town are now being used as sheltered accommodation.

The third Larkhill block, Bowland House, has been given a £2.3million revamp.

Bowland House will be aimed at mature residents, according to housing association Space.

The regeneration project was given the unanimous backing of Blackburn's planning and highways committee at a meeting in May.

There are currently 240 flats across the three blocks, fewer than half of which are occupied.

A spokesman for the borough's planning department said: "There are a variety of uses around the area including a health centre, a school, a church and other houses.

"Gradual demolition is the preferred option here because of the close proximity of neighbouring buildings." Flats at Queen's Park are also scheduled for demolition.

Nationwide, there is a glut of social housing with councils being instructed to have a shake-up of their stock.