THE number of long-term empty homes in Bury has fallen by almost 300 since 2010.

Latest figures show that the number of houses that have been vacant for more than six months has dropped from 1,327 seven years ago to 1,050 in 2016.

Although the new statistics mean there are more than 10 empty homes per square kilometre in the borough — the 59th highest among England’s 360 local authorities — it has dropped from 13.4 per square kilometre in 2010.

Bury Council’s cabinet member for housing, Cllr Eamonn O'Brien, said: "The drop is as a result of a strategy that was introduced a few years ago around bringing empty homes back into use.

"The figures show that has been successful and we will continue our efforts to reclaim those properties that are not to a high enough standard for people to live in.

"We will also be looking at other ways in which we can use our powers around council tax on empty properties, which was something that was brought up in the Budget this week.

"Bringing empty homes back into use is a key part of our plans to create more affordable housing.

"We have a housing waiting list in Bury that is similar to the number of empty properties — that is just not right."