Some areas suffering from low demand for housing could be losing out as a result of a government regeneration scheme, MPs have found.

The Commons committee on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister called for careful consideration of how the Pathfinder scheme is developing.

The policy is designed to boost regeneration in areas suffering from low housing demand and large numbers of empty homes.

According to the MPs, ministers have made a "welcome start" in tackling the problems.

But Pathfinder only covers half the areas with severe problems of low housing demand.

As a result there is some evidence that those places not covered by the scheme are losing funds as support is concentrated in the Pathfinder areas.

The other areas will not be able emulate the success of the Pathfinder areas if they are not given similar support, the report cautions.

Committee chairman Andrew Bennett said that there was a long term future for the policy.

Noting that it could take 15 years to turn some areas around, he said there should be "guarantees that the Pathfinder initiatives will be supported in the long term".

"The government's Pathfinders programmes in nine areas must not turn into a clearance programme with wholesale demolition of neighbourhoods," added Bennett.

"It must ensure that sustainable communities and homes of lasting value are created  that use the existing areas as the foundations."