A £32MILLION plan has been drawn up in an attempt to help improve a rundown area of Glasgow.

The city council has asked the Scottish Government to provide the money to allow the council to buy up to 350 flats in south-west Govanhill - many of which are owned by slum landlords.

The council has identified 13 problem blocks bounded by Westmoreland Street, Dixon Avenue, Calder Street and Cathcart Road.

If themoney is provided, the properties, which are in pre-1919 tenement blocks, would be managed by a local housing association, which would upgrade them and offer them for affordable rent.

The council, Govanhill Housing Association and Govanhill Partnership have worked to resolve persistent problems of overcrowding, deterioration of the fabric of the buildings, rat infestations and the subsequent blight on the surrounding area.