A Coalville councillor has asked for action to be taken against property owners who are leaving buildings sitting empty for several years in the town.

Cllr Michael Wyatt says properties such as the former Rex cinema and Co-op, along with other buildings in Coalville, are having a negative impact.

Cllr Wyatt posted on social media that he has raised the subject with North West Leicestershire District Council.

He said: "We cannot allow property owners to buy buildings and then leave them to deteriorate.

"This common practice must stop, and legal proceedings must be considered to force the owners to bring the buildings back into use or dispose of them.

"The council does have various options which can be utilised.

"The council needs to be more pro-active in its determination to help regenerate the town centre which, in the past, it has failed to do.

"Also, we have several shops which have empty second-floor space which could easily provide much-needed accommodation which needs serious consideration for a future project."

Cllr Wyatt says he has met officers and other alliance members of the council to discuss how to take forward an empty building initiative to finally address the issue of neglected buildings head-on.