FRUSTRATED residents have been told by council chiefs they must wait in line for repairs to their houses.

Nine householders from Hope Street, Accrington, petitioned Hyndburn Council claiming their homes were crumbling and needed urgent attention.

The calls came after a neighbouring block of houses was repaired under the council's renewal programme in the Scaitcliffe area.

The petition read: "The condition of our properties is rapidly deteriorating and we cannot afford to repair them ourselves. We request you approve the grant soon to avoid further deterioration." But a report to the housing services committee claimed the houses were not a priority under the council's 'worst first' scheme.

Urban renewal officer Julian Hickinbottom said: "The block will eventually be repaired but exactly when depends on the money which comes from the government in the next few years."

Housing services chairman, Coun Clifford Westell, added: "If these people's houses are moved up the list, someone else's will have to be taken out.

"But the properties are in the programme, so there is hope for Hope Street."

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