A SHARE of a £65m national pot to improve housing markets will come to the Tees Valley, it was announced yesterday.

Resources from the Regional Housing Board and English Partnership has been granted to Darlington, Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough councils.

The Government money will be used to stimulate the housing markets in various parts of each borough council area.

Other money will be given to parts of West Yorkshire and Cumbria.

Jim Johnsone, director of housing group Tees Valley Living, said: "Although it is too early to say how much funding we will actually receive, it is a positive sign that the Government recognises the strong case we have been making over the past 18 months.

"With the help of MPs, such as Redcar representative Vera Baird, we have been able to lobby strongly for a fairer deal for the Tees Valley. There is still a lot of work to be done but this is a step in the right direction."

The funding for the different areas will be allocated by the Regional Housing Boards in April next year and the money will be used to invest in building homes, renovation work and demolishing derelict properties.

The plans are contained in a new report called Sustainable Communities - Homes for All, which was unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott yesterday.