COUNCIL tenants in Hyndburn are to be balloted on whether or not to sell off the council's housing stock after a panel of their representatives voted in favour of a stock transfer.

The borough's 3,600 properties could now pass into the ownership of a housing association like Blackburn with Darwen Council's Twin Valley.

A jury of 12 tenants voted unanimously for the option, one of four put forward by the council.

A year ago the council revealed a £2million repair bill which would lead to a £6.5million shortfall if new Government housing standards were to be met by 2010.

Neighbouring Blackburn with Darwen's 10,000 housing stock made the transition from council ownership in 2001.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe announced the tenants' decision at a meeting of the full council last night.

Coun Tony Dobson, housing portfolio holder, said: "I think it would be good for the borough because it gives us a long-term vision for council.

"This will be a 30 year plan with 30-year planned financing. At the moment you can't look any further than three to five years ahead, but because it's taken out of the public sector and out of politics, it's a stand-alone business to look at what's the best deal for residents."

He said no deadline had been set for the ballot because councillors hadn't wanted to prejudge the outcome of the jury vote, and a criteria for the ballot was still to be set.

"We can either have a majority of all tenants or a majority of those tenants who vote. That decision will be made in consultation with our advisors and the jury panel on how this process will go forward."