THE district council is looking for empty homes so they can be brought back into use.

As part of the Empty Homes National Week of Action, Stroud District Council wants people with unused additional properties to allow them to use them for council housing.

The council claims there are more than 700 properties in the area which have been empty for more than six months. There are also 2,538 people on the Stroud district housing list.

Cllr Frances Roden, the district council's cabinet member for housing, said: "At a time of increasing demand for affordable housing, homes lying empty in the district are clearly a wasted asset.

"We are very keen to bring them back into use. Last year through a variety of initiatives we helped bring over 80 homes back into use and we're looking to do more."

Owners of empty houses may be eligible for up to £18,000 to help renovate their property.

In return for the help in funding improvements, the property would then need to be rented out to people on the council's housing register.

For further information or advice on what to do with an empty property contact Suzie Phelps, empty homes officer for Stroud District Council, on 01453 754449 or visit www.stroud.gov.uk.