LEIGH MP Andy Burnham is urging ministers to investigate some companies collecting ground rents on properties in the area.

A number of companies have been buying out freeholds on local homes and are said to have been using a variety of techniques to increase the return from them.

Homeowners in Leigh are concerned about the techniques, which they say include requiring payment for alleged rent arrears and pressuring people to buy the freehold of property.

Mr Burnham said: "While some of these activities may technically be legal, they are certainly not ethical. Elderly and vulnerable people in particular may find letters very worrying."