A man who left a house to rot has been fined by the courts.

Mr Altaf Hussain of New Hall Lane was prosecuted for not complying with a planning enforcement notice.

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The unoccupied house at the corner of Acregate Lane and Tennyson Avenue, in Ribbleton, had been falling into disrepair for years.

A planning officer visited the property in February 2016 after being contacted about its poor state.

The 62-year-old did not respond to attempts by planning officers to contact him and invite him to discuss improvements required and provide a timescale for completion.

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A statutory notice was served on Mr Hussain in October 2016 requiring him to make a number of improvements – with a deadline of February 2017 to take action.

Preston City Council say the majority of the improvement works were not complied with and they moved to a court order to force improvements.

They added most of the works required in the notice were completed three weeks before the issue came to court.

Following a hearing at Preston Magistrates Court’ Mr Hussain was convicted and ordered to pay a fine of £208 with prosecution costs of £860.98 and a victims surcharge of £20.

Director of development Chris Hayward said: “Properties left in disrepair are not only a blight on the surrounding area, but can also cause damage to neighbouring dwellings over time if they are not rectified.

“We do try to work with property owners to ensure high standards during repairs or renovations, but this case highlights that enforcement action will be taken if necessary.”

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The property is expected to see boards removed from the windows in coming weeks and new windows fitted.