Over the last year the Bristol City council has brought more privately-owned empty homes back into residential use than ever before.

The council had a target of 400 empty homes to be brought back into use for the year 2011-2012, but in fact was able to exceed the target by 20 per cent.

This meant a total of 508 extra homes are available to help meet the city's growing housing demand.

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The major jump in our performance was achieved by focusing on those private properties which had been empty for less than six months and which can therefore be brought more readily back into use without the need for more than minor refurbishment.

Bringing more empty homes back into use is one of the key priorities for the city because it is another way of easing the growing housing demand.

Targeting houses which have been empty for less than six months offers a 'quick win', but the council is also tackling those which have been unoccupied for longer including those empty for over 10 years.

(CD/GK)