WESTMINSTER S Labour councillors have launched Empty Homes Watch – a scheme to get vacant homes back into use. The move comes after the Wood&Vale revealed last week that there are 3,500 homes lying empty in the borough. The aim is to get the empty public

WESTMINSTER'S Labour councillors have launched Empty Homes Watch - a scheme to get vacant homes back into use.

The move comes after the Wood&Vale revealed last week that there are 3,500 homes lying empty in the borough.

The aim is to get the empty public and private sector houses and flats back into use and reduce the long list of families waiting years for a permanent home.

Councillors are asking residents to give them details of empty properties in their area so they can approach owners to persuade them to bring the properties back into use.

If possible, they also want photographs of the properties.

Labour group leader Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg said: "It is a real scandal that there are nearly 3,500 empty flats and houses in Westminster when there are so many families, young couples and single parents in need of a decent homes.

"Our campaign will try to bring as many empty homes back into use as quickly as possible."

Residents can send details to Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg at City Hall, Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP, or email him at pdimoldenberg@ westminster.gov.uk.