FIVE East Lancashire councils have been handed over £1.5million to tackle their housing problems.

The Government's North West Regional Housing Board, which was set up to tackle the region's worst problems, said the money will be used to prevent collapsing demand for property and to build decent affordable homes.

This is the first year funding has been allocated by the newly-created board, which has powers to move funding between authorities so that more money goes into areas of greatest need.

While Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale and Hyndburn were all given extra funding Ribble Valley Borough Council was given £16,000 less.

Burnley, was given a 20 per cent increase, which was among the biggest rises in the region, and now has £2,762,000 to spend over two years.

Blackburn with Darwen was handed £3,907,000; Hyndburn, £2,629,000; Pendle, £3,049,000, and Rossendale was handed £796,000.

Housing Minister Keith Hill said: "Good quality housing is the cornerstone to successful sustainable communities and in some areas extra investment will be needed to get it right.

"This is exactly why the Government created regional housing boards - to ensure local housing needs are tackled in the best possible way.

"I have visited the North West on many occasions and have seen the diverse problems the board faces.

"This is a significant step on the road to putting the heart back into our communities and creating places where people want to live, not have to live."

The Government said the money will be used to stop the spread of low demand for housing by investing in other areas at risk and improve housing in areas where demand for homes is still strong but conditions are poor.