ABANDONED tenancies in the Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly area has increased over the past few months.

Cowdenbeath Area Committee heard on Wednesday that the total of tenants abandoning their homes had risen to 40.

Councillor Gary Guichan said: "This is a a bit of a rise and I wonder if there is a trend developing."

Area Housing chief, Russel Gray said: "There is no real trend showing. People give up their tenancies for a variety of reasons and often without given us any warning at all.

"Frequently we find out from neighbours that people have abandoned their tenancy and we have to make the appropriate investigations before taking the property back."