PRIORITY action designed to cut the number of empty council houses in Rossendale is paying dividends, releasing more money for repairs and modernisation, according to council chiefs.

The number of empty houses reached almost 170 early last year and 140 at the end of the last financial year. It represented an annual rent loss of £335,000 which was money otherwise destined for estate improvements.

But a Voids Recovery Plan started last year has sped up the process of re-letting vacant homes from 65 days to 24 days and set Rossendale Council on course to rival and beat other North-West councils.

Fewer than 35 homes are now empty and housing staff are about to embark on developing the next stage of the action plan.

Coun Alyson Barnes, community services committee chairman, said: "We were in the bottom quarter of all councils but our action plan has turned that around. That is good news for everyone as rent loss impacts directly on the money we can spend on our homes.

"We have improved the way staff work together and have a better focus.

The next part of the strategy involves encouraging tenants to stay put as unstable tenancies have affected local authorities across the North-West as they struggle to fill homes.

Councillor Barnes said: "We have a commitment to tackle the causes, not just the symptoms.

"One way of doing that is to look more closely at the needs of tenants who are moving.

"They are often, for example, young parents and young people coming out of care. It may be they need extra financial advice."