National Empty Homes Week: Northumberland County Council's work to bring them back into residential use put in the spotlight

And the local authority is also appealing to anyone who owns or knows of a long-term empty property to get in touch.

It is an important issue given that affordable housing is in short supply. The Housing Services, Private Sector housing team has assisted in returning more than 300 empty properties back into use over the last five years.

Coun Colin Horncastle, cabinet member with responsibility for looking after our environment, said: “Properties are left empty for long periods of time, often getting into a state of disrepair and attracting anti-social behaviour, when they could be providing much needed accommodation to people living in Northumberland.