OWNERS of derelict houses that have become an eyesore in Barnard Castle could have them compulsorily purchased so they can be repaired or demolished.

A report is being prepared by Teesside District Council to see what can be done with 21 properties in Barnard Castle that have been empty for years.

There were formerly 130 unfit houses standing unused in the area, but more than 100 have been renovated and put back into use following a sharp rise in property values.

Now the council has ordered a probe into ways that the remaining 21 can be improved or demolished.

Peter Slack, the council's head of housing and the community, said yesterday: "I'm looking at the possibility of using compulsory purchase powers to deal with these dwellings. There is a chance that some could constitute a planning blight. Most of these properties are well off the beaten track, but our members feel that an attempt should be made to prevent them remaining as eyesores."

In the past, owners have been pleased to have their houses declared unfit because this meant they could no longer be charged council tax.

But in many cases soaring property prices eventually made it worth their while to spend money on their homes before selling them.

Mr Slack said: "While the problem is now not so great, our members would like to see something down about the houses which are still classed as unfit."