A RESEARCH team wants East Lancashire residents to take part in a major study.

The team, from the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, is studying experiences of people with health problems in the housing market.

Researchers are also interviewing people in Edinburgh and London for the study, paid for by the Economic and Social Research Council.

One of the team, Katrina Turner, said East Lancashire was chosen because it has a high proportion of homeowners, house prices are relatively low compared to other parts of the country and there are higher rates of poor health than elsewhere.

She said: "Home owners are more likely to be in good health than tenants. However, some studies suggest that recent changes in the housing finance, insurance and benefit systems may prevent those with health problems and related disabilities from entering the private housing market."

The team has already interviewed some people in East Lancashire but would like to hear from anyone else willing to be interviewed.

Interviewees must live in East Lancashire, be aged under 65 and own or be buying their own home, or have been a homeowner in the past. They must also have or have had recently a health problem, illness or related disability.

Interviews at the beginning of March in interviewees' own homes will be completely confidential and anonymous.

Results will be used to clarify housing needs of people with different types of health problems and disabilities, to provide practical guidelines for people who supply housing finance and insurance products, and to contribute to policy discussions about the role of government and lenders in the development of healthy housing services.

Contact Katrina Turner on 0131 221 6273, or by fax on 0131 221 6163.

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