A COUNCIL decision to issue compulsory purchase orders on 34 houses in West Accrington has sparked uproar.

Some residents have vowed to fight on in a desperate bid to save their homes and halt the bulldozers.

Others agree with the decision but have criticised the long delay in making it and accused Hyndburn Council of using them as "political footballs".

The houses affected are in Lower Antley Street, Holland Street and Blackburn Road. They are to be demolished as part of the second stage of Project Phoenix which is bidding to regenerate one of the town's most run-down areas.

But Shahida Parveen, 45, has lived in her home in Lower Antley Streeet for 25 years and is determined not to leave.

She said after the special council meeting which made the decision: "All of my family and friends live around here. It's our home.

"It's very shocking. Nobody asked us our opinion They are taking our lives, our happiness and our future."

Some residents said they believed the decision had been delayed for nearly two years because of political issues within the council.

Labour members absta-ined from voting on whether to go ahead with a CPO as a protest against the length of time it has taken.

Their leader Councillor Graham Jones said at the meeting: "The residents have been ignored. You have taken two years but a Labour Cabinet could have made a decision within 20 minutes."

Joan Pilkington of the West Accrington Residents' Association brought along a banner which read: "We are not political footballs".

She said: "I think it's disgraceful they are making political points out of this. If they decide they want to abstain from voting then maybe we can abstain from voting at the next election.

"Both parties should have come to this decision a long time ago. Many properties are boarded up and roofs are falling through."

Plans for the CPOs were originally put to the Cabinet in November 2005 and earlier this month members decided to let the full council have a say on the matter.

Residents affected will be offered the market value of their home plus a relocation fee and a £37,500 interest-free loan.