RESIDENTS of a road in Orford have aired their feelings about a 30-year-old "eyesore".

Kathryn Barker, who lives in Venns Road, contacted the Guardian about the state of a neighbouring property which, she claims, is used by a builder as a storage yard.

She said: "I have been in the house for 11 years now and I am led to believe it has been in this state for 20 years prior to me moving into Venns Road.

"Recently the windows have been replaced as the old ones were on the brink of falling out the glass had already done so on to the pavement.

"The windows do not have glass in. They have wooden panelling in them, which reads 'new and part-worn tyres'. Basically the house is a tip."

Residents fear that the property is having an impact on house prices, with recent evaluations losing thousands of pounds because of it.

John Earle, Warrington Borough Council's assistant director of planning, said: "We spoke to the owner of this property and he has given us assurances that the land and building is undergoing major refurbishment works to restore it to the standards of other houses in Venns Roads.

"Much of the work to date has been internal. However, from our conversations we understand that the external improvements will follow as soon as possible.

"If significant improvements are not made within a reasonable length of time, a notice may be served on the owner to enforce works to be carried out to the property.

"A joint site visit of officers from the planning enforcement section and housing's urban renewal department will be arranged shortly, together with a programme of close monitoring to establish the best way forward on this matter."