Over 5,000 people have not reaffirmed their desire to remain on a waiting list for council housing in Falkirk.

At the beginning of the year, 12,605 people had their names down for a council house but following a review of council home allocation policy in January, the local authority called for people to re-register their desire to remain on the list by May 30.

The review by Communities Scotland into the area's homeless service was critical about the way properties were allocated.

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In response, the council sent letters to those on the waiting list inquiring if they wanted to remain on it.

Following Friday's deadline there are now 7,498 people with their names down on the housing list.

Housing and social services convener Gerry Goldie put the new figure down to population changes in the area.

He said: "The last re-registration process was carried out in 2005 and clearly since then, a large number of those who originally registered have moved away from the area, have found alternative accommodation or may have passed away.

"This was precisely the reason we undertook this survey as it is essential for us to get accurate information so we can manage our housing stock effectively."

Mr Goldie said as a result of the survey, a new up-to-date waiting list has been established.

(GK/JM)