A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save a stricken row of terrace homes branded the ‘worst in East Lancashire’.

Councillors and residents said the stretch of 11 homes in Spring Street, Rishton, must be saved to salvage the area.

Many of the homes have no roof and all are boarded up.

Fire crews have been called to the scene 33 times in just six months.

Coun Harry Grayson and Coun Ken Moss said demolition was not the answer and urged that the historic homes, including the old mill manager’s cottage, be saved.

Hyndburn Council has made an order on the stretch of homes for them to be either be repaired or demolished.

The authority said the state of the empty homes has deteriorated to such a degree that they were now dangerously unsafe.

A meeting is set to take place within weeks between the owners of the houses, a mixture of private individ-uals, developers and a housing association, and the council to resolve the situation.

Coun Moss, who lives in nearby Bridge Street, said: “If they were demolished we would be left with an eyesore site that attracts even more trouble than we have at the moment.

“If the council compulso-rily purchases the properties and then demolishes them it will cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

“For just a little more they could be refurbished and then sold on to local people as affordable housing. They are important to the history of the town for their links to the old mills.”

Coun Grayson, who was born in Spring Street, said: “I don’t think demolition is the answer. The properties are not as bad as they look. We don’t want to be left with a waste land.”

A spokesman for the coun-cil said: “Notice has been served under the Building Act that the properties must be either demolished, or be repaired.

“The situation is such that we are not prepared to let it continue any longer.

“The council’s intentions are clear. This area must be improved.”