THOUSANDS of people across East Lancashire fighting to save their homes from demolition have been backed by the Deputy Prime Minister.

John Prescott has told bosses behind Elevate - a scheme to revamp housing across East Lancashire - they should concentrate on refurbishing properties instead of demolishing them.

And he singled out a plan to transform the Whitefield area of Nelson through refurbishment for praise.

Residents across the region have hit out at plans to demolish their homes under the Elevate plan. And today, campaigners said they hoped Elevate would now think again about projects involving demolition.

Mr Prescott's comments are contained in the Government's response to a report on how the scheme is going. It comes after a meeting of Elevate chiefs, English Heritage, Government officials and Whitefield resident Sylvia Wilson - founder and secretary of Homes Under Threat, a lobby group representing residents in areas marked for revamping - known as 'Pathfinders'.

The report states: "Refurbishing these homes will play an important role in market renewal, improving conditions for the communities staying in the area and in maintaining heritage.

"Proposals that focus only on demolition do not fit with the pathfinder approach and will not be funded by ODPM. While some demolition is required, it is important that we learn from the past and do not sweep away places with real value."

The report has been welcomed by campaigners and those involved with steering the Elevate programme.

Ms Wilson said: "It sounds like he's got it right. The next step now is the local authorities must reassess the areas they have targeted and implement what the Secretary of State is saying. Pendle have come up with 1,100 houses for demolition in Nelson, do they really need taking down?"

Darwen Residents' Action Group spokesman Pauline Molden said: "Thank God. We don't want it demolishing around here. They said the houses were unfit but we've proved them wrong. Mine would only cost £1,000 to refurbish. We'd prefer to have them done up."

Colne Coun Tony Greaves, who chairs Pendle Council's housing market renewal committee, said: "It sounds like progress. I'm delighted the Government has taken note of the Whitefield Enquiry by Design.

"Things seem to be moving in the right direction and what we've got to hope it that it's reflected here in changes to the policy balance from Elevate which recognise that housing market renewal can be based on the conservation and improvement of the existing community structure rather than just knocking it down."

Elevate said it welcomed the select committee report and Deputy Prime Minister's response to it.

A spokesman said: "Elevate is about creating sustainable neighbourhoods through a carefully balanced mix of improvements, clearance and new build activity. Any plans for demolition are considered with great care, in the context of the overall programme, and we continue to improve significantly more houses than are demolished. We are also working closely with CABE to ensure that replacement housing is of a high standard of design.

"I am pleased that Elevate is working closely with English Heritage, so the heritage value of areas where demolition is being considered will be surveyed and the results will inform future plans.

"It is important to remember that this process is not just about housing, and our thinking for the future takes account of economic factors and issues such as health, transport and the area's image. All of these will contribute to making East Lancashire a place where people want to live, work, visit and relax."