TENANTS across Burnley have voted by a whopping 90 per cent to the transfer of the borough's council houses to a publicly-run company.

And work on the £195million, 30-year housing investment programme will begin at 9am the day after the transfer takes place, housing committee chairman Rafique Malik has vowed.

The majority in favour of a switch to a non-political housing body is thought to be the highest in the country so far, with the transfer planned for the start of the new Millennium.

Of the 6,507 tenants eligible to vote, 75 per cent took part with 90.6 per cent in favour.

A total of 4,879 ballot papers were returned. There were 19 spoilt votes, 4,402 in favour and 458 against.

The total in favour from all those eligible to vote was 67 per cent, far in excess of the simple majority needed for the transfer to go ahead.

Housing bosses spent more than £250,000 working up and publicising the £75million 'sell off' of the entire 5,500-home stock.

The yes vote is expected to lead to the transfer to the new landlord, the Burnley and Padiham Community Housing board by the end of January.

Talks with the government are going ahead over a "negative equity'' problem caused because the sell off does not cover the council's mortgage commitments. It is hoped the government will meet the difference in valuation.

Work will then begin on providing houses which don't have it with central heating, double glazing, new bathrooms and kitchens.

Other benefits will include more home-help style assistance for older tenants, more estate caretakers and an anti-social neighbours scheme. Rents guarantees have been given to current tenants that rent charges will not increase by more than one per cent per year above inflation. new tenants, however, could face rents up to 20 per cent higher than sitting tenants.

Three hundred empty houses, mainly on the Stoops, Hargher Clough and Barclay Hills estate are not included in the deal.

Council leader Stuart Caddy said talks would be held with the board to decided a policy of partial demolition, wholesale demolition or refurbishment of the problem properties.

Ian Saville, lead officer with Burnley and Padiham Community Housing, said: "We now have a clear mandate from the tenants to proceed to transfer.

"I am convinced they have chosen the right course and face a much brighter future with Burnley and Padiham Community Housing than the council would be able to provide for them.''

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