A SOCIAL housing scheme has been given a prestigious award for high levels of safety and security.

Twin Valley Homes has been given a Secured by Design certificate for phases one and two of their Lincoln Road development in Blackburn.

Phases one and two had 43 homes, some for rent and others shared ownership, and were completed in December 2006.

Phase three that will feature 18 homes is due for completion in December.

Blackburn with Darwen Council had identified a high demand for affordable family housing in this area and this site, formerly occupied by low demand council maisonettes, has been redeveloped to ensure this provision was met.

Coun Salim Lorgat, executive member for housing and neighbourhoods, said: "It's important that housing associations and private developers work with the authorities in addressing security issues at the planning stage".

Glen Finch, head of regeneration at Twin Valley Homes added: "I'm delighted with the Secured by Design award for Lincoln Road, our largest new build site to date.

"This is our third certificate following previous awards for our new build sites in Darwen at Cambridge Gardens and Woodlands Park."

Secured by Design is the police's flagship initiative, supporting the principles of "designing out crime" by use of effective crime prevention and security standards for a range of applications.

Research shows that Secured by Design can reduce burglary and car crime by 50 per cent and criminal damage by 25 per cent.

It supports one of the Government's key planning objectives - the creation of secure, quality places where people wish to live and work.