Each of the ramshackle houses pictured on this page is now a well cared for family home, thanks to a rescue service to bring empty properties back to life.

The Government-backed initiative launched as a pilot study by seven local authorities in West London has been a resounding success since it was launched in 2004.

Owners of properties which have sunk into decay because they can't afford to do them up can find a buyer by advertising them for free on a website that has become the first port of call for entrepreneurs looking for just such a project to do up. In 18 months, more than 10,000 people have registered to use the service.

Ealing and Hillingdon & Uxbridge Councils two of the original seven local authorities to try out the scheme are delighted with the response.

Ealing empty homes officer Jacqueline Connerky says each property advertised on the Empro.co.uk website attracts more than 100 calls.

These are just a few of the success stories from the West London caseload:

- After being empty for 13 years, a large four-bedroom family house in Ealing was virtually derelict because the owners couldn't afford to do the repairs.

They advertised it for free on the Empro site and were so amazed by the number of calls from potential takers, they applied for a council grant themselves, did the work and then put the house up for sale.

Result: It is no longer an eyesore . Instead it has made a great home for a new family.

- A one-bedroom ground floor flat in Ealing had been derelict for a number of years. As it deteriorated it became the target for vandals until one of the neighbours contacted the council because she was worried about the detrimental impact on her own property.

The council tracked down the owners and encouraged them to put it up for sale through the website.

It attracted lots of offers and eventually sold to a buyer through Empro who has tackled the renovations and it's now a much admired two bedroom flat.

"But the story doesn't end there," says Empro's PR man Richard Stocks. "The neighbour who originally notified the council was delighted to find that the value of her own home has increased by around £15,000 because it is no longer blighted by an eyesore."

- An Ealing shopowner's son who inherited his father's shop wanted to sell the property but couldn't find a buyer because of the empty flat upstairs.

He advertised the property on the Empro website, again was bowled over by the response, decided to keep it himself and do the work with the help of a council grant.

Eventually the property was converted into a three-bedroom house which is home to a family of four.

- A three-bedroom mid terraced house in Harrow was empty for more than ten years. Eventually, after failing to persuade the owner to take action, the council threatened him with a compulsory purchase order.

The house was advertised on the website and attracted more than 100 calls.

As a result, the owner decided to sell the property at auction. It sold to a bidder who was ready to spend the money to bring it back into use.

- A mid-terrace house in Shepherds Bush had been going to waste for five years because the owners refused to take action. Consequently the Empty Property team posted the house details on the website to demonstrate the amount of interest it would arouse. The owners were convinced.

They have since split the house into three flats two have been sold and an offer has been agreed on the third.