TENANTS across Burnley have given a resounding thumbs up to the proposed transfer of the borough's council houses, it was revealed today.

A top-level report has showed that door-to-door interviews with council tenants brought more than 2,800 responses - with 75 per cent in favour of transfer.

And 300 pre-paid cards were also returned by tenants - with a 92 per cent yes vote.

Housing bosses have already spent more than £250,000 working up and publicising the £75million 'sell off' of the entire 5,500-home stock - a bill which the council will have to meet if tenants reject the plan.

A Yes vote would result in most of the costs being met by the new publicly-owned Burnley and Padiham Community Housing company.

Now after a wave of advice, publicity and consultation, managers feel confident of victory and are urging the Housing Committee on Monday to give the go-ahead for a ballot. That would result in voting, organised by the Electoral Reform Society, taking place between June 21 and July 9, with the result known with a few days of the close of the ballot.

A Yes vote is expected to lead to the transfer to the new landlord on April 1 next year. A team of housing officers visited every council home in town to get face-to-face discussions with tenants and seek their views on transfer.

They also produced and delivered a £10,000 video outlining the sell-off deal which will allow the new company to spend £30 million on housing repairs and renovation over the next five years alone - cash the council itself simply hasn't got to spend.

A series of special meetings were held on estates throughout the town and extra phone links set up to provide guidance to tenants on all transfer issues.

The measures all linked in with major newspaper advertising and newsletter campaigns.

A report to Monday's meeting shows that door-to-door interviews brought responses from nearly 2,800 tenants - with 75 per cent in favour of transfer and just six per cent against. Some 300 pre-paid cards were returned by tenants, with a 92 per cent Yes vote.

"Clearly the overwhelming majority are in favour," says the report to councillors. Council chiefs believe the benefits of transfer will convince tenants to vote Yes.

They say the deal offers low rent rise guarantees, £195 million spending on renovations over the next 30 years and the umbrella of a non-profit making landlord made up of councillors, tenants representatives and independent members of the managing board.

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