A RUNDOWN house in Hartlepool is likely to become the subject of a compulsory purchase order.

The property in Rydal Road has been empty since the 1980s and has been the target of vandalism, trespass and dumping of rubbish.

A number of legal notices have been served on the owner because of the condition of the property and repair work has been carried out by the borough council after a lack of response.

They included making the property secure, remedying dampness to adjacent properties and pest proofing the roof.

Members of the council's Town Management Portfolio will meet on Friday to discuss the property.

A report to the meeting said: "Attempts made to encourage the owner to renovate the property and attempts made to purchase the property by agreement have been unsuccessful.

"The property is in a poor condition both internally and externally. The windows to the ground front floor are boarded up and the rear ground floor has been secured with metal sheeting.

"The owner's current whereabouts are unknown. All efforts to trace him through family members and the media have been unsuccessful."

Councillors are being recommended to approve a compulsory purchase action and to authorise any required action. They are also being asked to recommend that, on acquisition, the property is disposed of to a third party on condition that works are carried out to secure re-occupation within a reasonable period of time.