The number of unoccupied Wigan homes has rocketed by 16 per cent

The number of unoccupied addresses has risen 212 from 2021's figure to 1,497 according to Action on Empty Homes, a charity which campaigns for putting long-term empty houses to better use.

The report, based on Freedom of Information requests, says one in 76 houses in the borough are not in use.

The most vacancies in the North West region were found in Liverpool with 5,186 (4,880 in 2021).

Jo Willmott, director for homes and communities for Wigan Council, said: “Bringing empty homes back into use is something that’s very important to us at Wigan Council and we’re working hard to do this via a number of initiatives.

“Early, continual engagement with landlords is at the heart of the approach and we are working proactively to track down the legal owners of properties to bring empty homes back into use and provide advice and guidance to bring properties up to a high standard, making homes more desirable to both private renters and buyers.

“We work with landlords to understand their individual circumstances, however where landlords are uncooperative or absent, there are levers available that we can use to reach a positive outcome.”

The council said it encouraged people with vacant domestic properties to get in touch via its website.

For details on the nation's empty homes visit: https://www.actiononemptyhomes.org/what-we-do