Bristol City Council's drive to cut the number of long-term empty properties through a combination of help and enforcement has seen the numbers brought back into use rise by 13 per cent, compared to figures for 2007.

In 2007, the number of long-term empty properties - unoccupied for more than six months - stood at 2,080. In 2008 the figure had been cut to 1,982. Currently, the number of long-term empty properties stands at around 1,790.

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Councillor Mark Wright, Cabinet Member for Housing and Service Improvement, said: "Tackling the disgrace of owners leaving homes empty when there is such a demand for homes is a key priority for the city council.

"Leaving a property empty long-term is not only bad in itself, it also often has an impact on the surrounding area, attracting problems and dragging down the rest of the community. I am confident that the carrot and stick approach - the offer of help and support and the threat of court action - means we will continue to see a marked fall in the number of long-term empty properties."

(CD/GK)