THE owner of a building in danger of collapsing into the street has been given two months to make it safe or pull it down.

And if Kwok Hin Chung fails to comply with the order Blackburn with Darwen Council will carry out the work and charge him for their efforts.

Blackburn magistrates agreed to make the order against Chung, of Bridge Street, Ruabon, Wrexham, who owns the former Chinese take-away shop at 41 New Wellington Street.

Building surveyor Derek Holt told the court the building had been empty since a fire and the council had been monitoring its condition on a monthly basis.

He said a number of interior walls had collapsed and the brickwork of the outside front and back walls was cracked and bulging.

"If the front wall collapses, it will be directly on to the street with all the danger that would pose to the public," said Mr Holt. "It has reached the stage where some action has to be taken."

Alan Fairhurst, prosecuting, said Mr Chung had been made aware of the situation.

"The danger to the public only increases with delay and if we can't make Mr Chung carry out the work the local authority will carry it out and charge him for it," he added.

Claire Buck, manager at Mill Hill Pets, next door but one to the building, said: "It does look like it is falling down and it's making the area look untidy as well.

"I have not seen Mr Chung for years. It was a fire that caused all the damage and I think squatters were living in the empty property and that's what caused it.

"I'm worried that the building, because of its condition might attract vandalism."