Residents are trying to save the houses

They say it will destroy a tight-knit community and an area of historical importance.

But the council says people no longer want to buy these terraced houses.

A decision on whether to send in the bulldozers to demolish the 400 homes at Whitefield is expected shortly.

Pendle Borough Council has previously claimed the houses are not fit to live in.

The mills have all gone and subsequently the demand for these houses has also diminshed here Estate agent Neil Sharpe

Sylvia Wilson has lived in Nelson all her life and believes the demolition of the houses would have a terrible impact on the area.

"We have a community here very much like we had years ago.

"We go into people's houses we borrow sugar, we look after the kids.

"If anyone's ill we look after them. It's all that tight-knit close community."

Mohhamed Akram's family has refused the council's offer to buy seven houses in one block at their current market value.

"If we move from here it's very dangerous for us because we can't live together. We can't help each other," he said.

Residents' support

The council said the decision to clear part of Nelson was taken after consultation with residents.

Some residents have welcomed the prospect of newly built houses even if it pushes up property prices.

They see it as a last chance to revitalise a community beset with problems.

Resident Javed Khan said: "The church in front has had two arson attacks."

"The back streets aren't safe. You see kids congregating here, there's nowhere to play."

Some of the houses have been put for sale for as little as �12,000 but are still proving difficult to sell.

Campaigners, backed by English Heritage, have claimed the houses are of historical and architectural importance.

But estate agent Neil Sharpe said: "The bulk of these properties were built circa 1900 by the millowners for the millworkers.

"Life has changed. Society has changed. The mills have all gone and subsequently the demand for these houses has also diminished."