THE shortage of housing in this town is well documented and it does not help that council-owned properties have been allowed to fall into disrepair.

Sometimes this is due to a lack of funding for repairs, but often anti-social behaviour is equally to blame.

Therefore it is fantastic news that the Government has granted £25 million for Bolton At Homes to carry out improvements to the town's council houses.

Bolton At Home, which controls the town's 18,769 council houses, will now be able to build new kitchens and fit new roofs and windows.

Importantly, some of the money will also be used to help council estates fight anti-social behaviour.

This means that those most affected by yobbish behaviour - other law-abiding residents - will be given the chance to take action to stamp it out.

They will also be given a say as to how the area in which they live is developed, which is just as it must be if the powers that be want residents to take pride in their surroundings.