AN innovative scheme to give empty houses in Burnley a makeover has been vandalised.

Boards have been painted to look like front doors and windows with curtains and flowers in them.

However, some have been ripped down within days.

The scheme, which is costing the council around £16,000, has been launched in a bid to encourage people to rent or buy the homes in Reed Street.

Workers carrying out the renovations said the boards were being ripped down overnight and placed in front of occupied homes.

Burnley Wood councillor Karen Heseltine said the scheme was a huge boost to the area.

She said: “The street has suffered from anti-social behaviour problems and the properties looked horrible.

"The three ward councillors have been pushing to see what can be done now the regeneration money has stopped.

"Putting facia boards over some of the properties has worked really well, I think it looks fantastic.

“When you used to walk past some of the houses you would think how bad it looks, but now you think ‘wow’ when you see them.

The work has been carried out by trainees from the Burnley Wood Training and Community Centre, which was opened by Accent Regeneration in February.

Neal Cowgill, who managed the project on behalf of Accent, said: “Through the hard work of our trainees, supervisors and the cooperation of residents, we have been able to solve a local problem.”

Residents weren't so sure of the scheme, however.

Steven Riley, of Reed Street, said: “The houses need regeneration, not a bit of polishing up.

"The houses in Hollingreave Road round the corner have been sandblasted and they look nice.”

Gary Bailey, of Springfield Road, said: “It might look nice but it isn’t going to solve the bigger prob-lems in the area."