HOUSE-HUNTERS are to be targeted in a marketing campaign to convince more of them to switch from the private sector to council-type housing.

The move is part of a pilot scheme to change the beliefs of many people that only single mums and homeless people get first choice of council and social landlord properties. Now a government grant of £450,000 to Blackburn with Darwen Council will be used to encourage more people to look at social rented housing rather than the private sector when they are looking for a new home.

Together with local housing associations, including the newly-formed Twin Valley Homes, the council aims to improve access to public housing through advertising, the Internet and estate agency-type access on a first come first serve basis.