A COUNCIL today vowed to recoup money it paid out for house improvements to properties which have since been left empty.

And residents are to be deployed in the battle to find the people who claim money for sprucing up their homes then leave them unoccupied while others are left "living in deprivation."

Hyndburn councillors fear there are dozens of privately-owned houses in the borough currently standing empty despite having hundreds -- and in some cases, thousands -- of pounds of public money spent on them.

Officers have now been instructed to reclaim grant aid money paid to people who cannot provide a legitimate reason for leaving their refurbished property empty.

Urban Renewal manager Julian Hickinbottom today warned court action would be used if owners couldn't provide a good reason for their homes being empty. He said: "Some people can present us with reasons why houses are not being occupied. If we give a grant to a landlord who advertises his property but can't find a tenant then there is obviously nothing he can do about it.

"Some people have genuine personal circumstances which mean their home may be unoccupied and we appreciate that.

"But there are many houses which are unoccupied and the owners can't give us a reason for not living there. It is a mystery to us why someone would ask for a grant, have their home done up and then leave it empty.

"It is a situation we cannot allow to continue and we are in the process of writing to them the people concerned. If they don't give us an explanation then we will pursue them through the courts for the money." He added: "We need residents to tell us where houses are empty. We can't have staff everywhere so we need the public's help to get money back." The initiative comes just weeks after council bosses were told a government cash allocation for housing associations to improve homes in Hyndburn had been slashed from £1.4million to £600,000.

Finance chiefs at the council have also predicted the amount allocated for grant aid will be cut this year, meaning people will have to wait longer for support to improve their homes.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe, who called for the crackdown to be launched after the issue was raised at a full council meeting, said: "We have limited funds for grant aids and a very long waiting list.

"It is very irritating to know that we have paid money to people to improve their homes and they have left them empty.

"There are so many poor properties in this borough and a lot of people who are living in deprivation. That is why we must take action. In this borough, more than most, it stands out so much when a renovated house is empty."

He added: "I feel there are many more people who are failing to honour an obligation they agree to when they get a grant -- to live in the house or ensure it is occupied.

"Other residents are extremely annoyed that some of their neighbours have received public support for a house which is empty.

"I intend to get back this grant money and use it again where it is genuinely needed.

"The council can and will make sure limited funds are spent correctly."

The issue was first brought to light by Councillor Jean Battle in June, when she spoke to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph about her concerns.