HOUSING chiefs are considering selling off Blackburn and Darwen's council houses in a bid to solve a multi-million pound repairs crisis.

Housing minister Nick Raynesford has revealed £82 million is needed to bring the borough's ageing council houses up to scratch.

But bosses at Blackburn town hall say the figure is nearer £106 million and urgent measures are needed.

Mr Raynesford revealed the scale of the problem in East Lancashire after he was asked a question by Pendle MP Gordon Prentice in Parliament.

Around £180 million needs to be spent on East Lancashire's decaying council properties with the biggest repair bill in Blackburn and Darwen.

Blackburn town hall has called in financial consultants KPMG to take a closer look at the situation.

The consultants are expected to come up with a range of options which will be discussed at the next housing committee in December. Housing and community chairman Mohammed Khan said: "According to our figures £106 million is needed for repairs for council houses in the borough.

"We have appointed consultants and one of the options they have been looking at is the transfer of council houses into the control of non-profit making companies.

"Before anything is decided our tenants will be given the chance to have a say on what they want."

He added: "If KPMG do decide the best option would be to transfer the ownership of our council houses then we would ballot our tenants."

Housing director Phil Richards added: "We carry out regular surveys of our housing stock in Blackburn and Darwen.

"The most recent survey revealed we need £106 million to bring stock up to a good standard. There is a gap of £50 million in funds available and the consultants have been brought in to look at ways of bridging that gap."

Mr Raynesford also revealed £46.6 million is needed in Rossendale and £40 million in Burnley.

Gordon Prentice said: "I was shocked by the scale of the problem. It will take millions to address all the problems we face in East Lancashire.

"Nobody believes we can wave a magic wand but we all want to see steady progress made."

The Government has kept its promise to release funds from council house sales for repairs but more funds are needed.

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