WORRIED householders are seeking legal advice over cracks which have appeared in their homes as construction of the M65 motorway extension continues nearby.

Four residents of Blackburn Road, Darwen, close to the work on the A666 flyover, have reported structural damage to engineers.

The Highways' Agency is investigating, but a spokesman insists the problems are associated with the long dry summer of 1995.

Earcroft ward councillor Donald Heatlie-Jackson lives in one of the houses affected.

He said: "Cracks have appeared in my front walls and an engineer from the motorway contractors has been to look at them."

Coun Heatlie-Jackson said three of his neighbours had noticed similar cracks in their homes and all had contacted their respective building insurance companies for advice.

A buildings' surveyor is expected to carry out structural examinations of the terrace properties' foundations over the next few weeks.

The councillor added that the construction had also adversely disrupted the lives of people living in the vicinity.

He said: "It's not just the structural problems which we believe were caused when a hole 40ft by 20ft was dug yards from the row; there are many other problems as well.

"We have lost access to the rear of our homes and garages, and the constant noise and dirt is driving us mad."

He added that a road cleansing machine used to clear away dirt left by contractors' vehicles, had removed white lines and parking restrictions from the road.

A spokesman for the Highways' Agency said: "We sent inspectors to the homes to examine them and take photographs.

"Evidence suggests that the cracks would normally be associated with a long, dry summer like the one in 1995."

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