THE NUMBER of council homes standing empty in Blackburn is continuing to soar, despite repeated campaigns to solve the problem.

About 650 flats and houses in the borough are vacant and the council lost just under 34,000 in rent weeks in the last financial year.

With the average bill for a council property £40 a week the council lost out on £1.3 million in rents last year.

The number of empty properties is still well below council-set targets and the situation is getting worse.

Demand is low for most types of council housing, but the problem is centred on the Roman Road estate and Mill Hill flats, where hundreds of properties are empty. Despite publicity campaigns and initiatives, demand for both areas has remained at a standstill.

Housing bosses at Blackburn with Darwen Council are working on new schemes in a bid to ease the problem.

Behind-the-scenes talks are under way to sell off the unpopular Mill Hill flats to developers.

The plan is to demolish the high-rise flats to make way for a private housing development.

Town hall bosses are also hoping the council's pioneering neighbourhood nuisance scheme and recent high profile cases will see demand increase.

The aim is to improve living conditions on the borough's run-down and crime-plagued estates.

Rent arrears are also up £50,000 on last year and stand at £714,896.

Housing chiefs have stepped up the number of home visits on tenants who owe money to the town hall.

The strategy is expected to cut down on arrears in the next financial year.

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