A cottage that has stood empty for more than a decade - and was riddled with vermin - has been sold thanks to council intervention.

North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) forced the sale of 11, School Lane, Newton Burgoland, which had been empty for around 14 years - following several attempts to encourage the homeowner to tidy it up, bring it back into use or sell it.

The semi-detached cottage was sold at auction in April - with completion last month - and has been purchased by a builder.

NWLDC stepped in to tidy-up the home after the owner ignored a number of notices following complaints from neighbours about flooding and vermin.

Money from the sale of the home will cover the costs of the council's clear-up, selling costs and any debts on the property.

Any remaining funds from the sale will go to the seller.

How 11 School Lane looks now

There are 476 privately-owned homes across the district that have been empty for more than six months.

This is the first enforced empty home sale completed by the council.

The council's Empty Homes Officer works with owners of homes that have been empty for more than six months to bring them back to use.

This can include the owner selling the home privately, looking at renovation, letting or support with managing a deceased's estate. Enforced sale is a last resort.

For more information on how the council deals with long-term empty properties visit www.nwleics.gov.uk/empty_homes.

Councillor Andrew Woodman, NWLDC portfolio holder for Community Services, said: "Long-term empty homes such as this are not only a blight on the landscape, but also prevent other residents and families from moving into a home.

"Enforcing the sale of any property is a last resort as we always work closely with owners to support them in bringing homes back into use or selling them. While we know there are hundreds of homes left empty, it's sometimes difficult for us to find out exactly where the owner is, and to encourage them to work with us, so this can mean the process of bringing them back into use takes longer than we would like.

"It's great news that we'll soon be able to see this extremely run-down and empty home transformed."