Families turned up at City Hall to describe the misery of living in slug-ridden homes with a catalogue of problems.

A tenant described how all the fuses blew in one home when the vacuum cleaner was turned on. And councillors heard how the houses needed total modernisation, including central heating.

The families said their homes in West Royd, Shipley, were frequently burgled, with criminals breaking in through metal windows.

Improvements have been carried out at a cost of £23,000 a house on two thirds of the estate, which was built in the 1930s.

But funding still has to be found for the remaining 34 properties.

Fergus Ewan, a committee member for Lower Westroyd Tenants' Association who attended the housing services sub-committee meeting, said: "We want the Council to try its hardest to find the money for the houses in our phase.

"The houses are uninhabitable and people moved in on the basis that they would be improved.

"Conditions are appalling and they need to be addressed as a matter of urgency."

Councillor Phil Thornton (Lab, Shipley East) said urgent internal work needed to be done.

But chairman Coun Jim O'Neill said: "We have limited resources, but we are determined to look at things with a holistic approach.

"We are willing to meet tenants' groups and help in any way we can."

The sub-committee was told it may be possible to carry out environmental improvements in the area by December, using European funding.

Members agreed to a window renewal programme to start before April if money can be found.

After the meeting Mr Ewan said: "We have at least brought it to the attention of councillors and made it more high profile."

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