A home left empty for 32 years is one of almost 1,000 long-term vacant properties in Brighton and Hove.

The city council is now pleading for powers to take control of a three-bedroom house in Chester Terrace, near Preston Park, which has been unoccupied since 1979.

This is despite the owners receiving almost £30,000 to refurbish the property 18 years ago.

The council is currently seeking a public inquiry to confirm a compulsory purchase order on 87 Chester Terrace.

The authority could then develop the property even without the consent of owners, Derek Burns and Christine Davies.

There are currently 985 properties in Brighton and Hove that have been empty for more than six months - of these 86% are privately-owned.

For the full story see today's Argus.