NEW housing tenants are being given a homely welcome as they pick up the keys to their property.

A house-shaped starter pack will be handed to the tenants by Coast & Country Housing. The pack includes cleaning equipment, tea and coffee, toilet rolls, bin bags, chocolate and an assortment of goodies.

It also contains information on a diverse range of local services, with discounts for shopping, travel and leisure activities.

Coast & Country's team on Teesside carried out research on tenants who moved into properties in the past year. Feedback highlighted a need for essential items and information on arrival.

Ronny Harris, director at Coast & Country, says: "Tenants are so preoccupied with moving in that they may not have time to buy certain essentials. The starter pack provides some of these items and hopefully makes new tenants feel welcome."

New tenant Sandra Barratt, in Grangetown, adds: "It was an unexpected bonus to receive the pack along with our keys.