TOP councillors have blasted insensitive' staff after residents of a Nelson street were billed more than £500 to walk up the paths to their own front doors.

Today, Chairman of Nelson Committee Coun David Foster apologised to homeowners in Messenger Street while Coun Tony Greaves said the letters were unacceptable' and staff should not act as uncaring bureaucrats'.

It came after shocked residents were sent letters from Liberata Property Services telling them they had to pay £300 to lease a strip of land at the front of their houses and £225 in surveyors' and legal fees.

The land was handed over to residents 16 years ago as part of a Housing Action Area project in the Valley Mills area but council officers said residents should now be paying for the land or hand it back.

But council chiefs have ordered new letters telling residents the land would be transferred to them at nil or negligible' cost. The letters are being hand delivered.

Resident Marjorie Gill, 75, who has lived in Messenger Street for 41 years, said she would wait until the final letter giving her ownership of the land arrives before she is completely satisfied.

Chairman of Nelson Committee and Clover Hill ward Coun David Foster said: "On behalf of Pendle Council I apologise to the residents for the first letter which was out of order.

"It was wrong and insensitive in what it demanded, and impractical in what it proposed.

"It does appear that the council at that time failed to transfer this land to the residents properly and legally.

"That is the fault of the council at that time and not the fault of the residents in any way at all."

Top councillors were astonished to find out staff had billed residents for the land.

Councillor Tony Greaves said: "I was appalled that such a ridiculous letter should be sent to people.

"I hope this incident will help to get across to all Pendle's staff that they are not employed as uncaring bureaucrats or working for a commercial property agency. They are employed to serve the people who live in Pendle, as many do very well. Actions like this are frankly not acceptable."

Coun David Whipp added: "I was closely involved with this Housing Action Area at the time and there is no doubt that this land was given to the residents. If council staff at that time did not do the job properly that is no fault of the householders today, some of whom have lived there all their lives."

Pendle Council is now taking legal advice on the best way to transfer the land to the residents and the Executive Committee will discuss the matter at its next meeting.