COUNCIL house tenants in Hyndburn could soon benefit from a series of new initiatives to refurbish and repair their homes.

This year's budget for the major repairs allowance is nearly £2m and the council is proposing to direct the money to both existing schemes and new initiatives suggested by residents.

Plans include refurbishing kitchens on the Laneside estate, re-roofing homes in parts of Rishton and Accrington and replacing doors and windows on sheltered bungalows throughout the borough.

Tenants in Meadoway and Walmsley Close in Church, Within Grove in Huncoat and Wordsworth Close in Oswaldtwistle will also kick-start the council's new approach to repair work and residents will team up with housing officers to create schemes together.

The council changed its approach to housing repairs after consulting 26 residents' groups and carrying out a telephone survey of 600 tenants.

Councillor Mrs Jean Battle, deputy leader of the council, said: "As a council we are committed to giving residents a voice and this is an example. We have consulted with residents extensively and as a result we have been able to work with them to initiate schemes in their area, which they have requested."