THOUSANDS of Bolton homes have fallen into such a serious state of disrepair they been classed as unfit by environmental health officers.

More than 22,000 privately owned homes are in such a poor state that they need millions of pounds to put them right and up to 6,000 are beyond repair and an unsightly mess ruining the quality of life for those living around them.

But Bolton Council, backed by MP Brian Iddon, is urging the Government to give some much-needed cash to deal with the problem. The council is also about to approve a massive study of every home in the town to assess the full extent of the problem in private sector.

Executive member for housing, Noel Spencer, says most of these homes are a legacy of substandard "Jerry built" 19th century houses thrown up during the industrial revolution - and are now past their sell-by-date.

Cllr Spencer said: "The list of remedies is quite complex, that is why we are looking for additional money.

"There are significant levels of deprivation and poverty. In some areas we will be looking at clearance."

Areas with the worst problems are the town centre, Blackburn Road, Daubhill, Deane and Halliwell - and it is beginning to drive homeowners away.

"In some areas we are already beginning to see a market collapse where the value of the traditional two-up two-down terrace is dropping," added Cllr Spencer.

"It's not peoples' choice to live in sub-standard areas and they want to move on.

"We are making the arguments to the Government now in time for the Chancellor's next spending review."

Cllr Spencer added that if the council can make public sector housing self-sufficient with the proposed new Community Regeneration Company then all the government money for housing can go into sorting out the private sector.

Bolton South East MP Brian Iddon has spoken in two debates in the house of Commons to plead for more money to deal with the problem - either with grant aided improvement or "sympathetic and selective clearance programmes."

Unfit public sector housing is also common in the Northern cotton towns of Lancashire and the wool towns of Yorkshire.

Bolton Council housing staff with other North West parties were meeting with senior civil servants today to look at the problem across the region.