ANGRY residents fighting to save their homes from demolition said they do not believe council assurances that no final decision has taken over their properties.

Hyndburn Council cabinet yesterday agreed to put in place the compulsory purchase order (CPO) needed to buy homes in West Accrington.

The homes could then be cleared to make way for more modern houses in phase two of its regeneration scheme, Project Phoenix.

Houses on Porter Street, Percival Street and parts of Blackburn Road and Lower Antley Street will be demolished under the proposals.

But the council also agreed to set up a liaison group with residents in three of the affected streets Portland Street, and parts of Holland Street and Lower Antley Street who are fiercely opposed to demolition.

It will consider alternatives to knocking homes down. At an emotionally charged cabinet meeting residents hit out when the decision to approve the CPO was passed with no debate and no opportunity for them to speak.

Zahier Hussain, 24, of Lower Antley Street, shouted: "You are fobbing us off.

"These people here want to know what's going on."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "The CPO is now in place, the decision to purchase has been taken.

"It doesn't mean each home will be demolished. It means the council has the right to purchase these properties.

"We can't hold that decision back any longer, we have got to get things in place to attract the funding that will regenerate the area for the people of Hyndburn.

"But we are prepared to look at the sustainability of your houses and the compensation packages on offer, which is why we have formed the liaison group."

Speaking after the meeting Mr Hussain said: "They tried to make the decision in 30 seconds and then walk, but people didn't understand what had been done. We have no choice but to be part of the liaison group because we can't close off the communication.

"It is not over for us, the fight goes on. Not many of the people who went to the meeting are ready to move out of their homes."

Mark Hoyle, Hyndburn's strategic housing manager, said that the council would bring in a developer for the proposed site, which would also work with local residents to produce a master plan for the area.

The first meeting of the liaison group will take place in March.