A MOTHER-of-two has emerged as the people's choice in elections to the board of council house landlords Tristar Homes.

Denise Mason polled the most votes and has been re-elected to the one vacancy for a tenant director with Tristar, which manages most of Stockton Council's housing stock.

The 44-year-old widow, from Radstock Avenue, on the Roseworth estate, Stockton, said she was grateful to all those fellow tenants who voted for her.

The former tailor and lollipop lady said: "It means a lot that people took the trouble to exercise their vote on this important issue and allows me to continue the work already started with the other directors."

Magistrate Gulbag Singh, of Thornaby, has joined the board as an independent director.

He said: "I feel I will bring to the board a multi-skilled and bi-lingual director who has an impartial non-judgemental attitude when looking at issues."

Mr Singh works for the Stockton Advice and Guidance Centre, and he has a background in ethnic community issues.

Board chairman Francis Hayes has been re-elected, as has Joan Henderson-Thynne, a great-grandmother who has been a tenant for more than 40 years. She will continue as vice-chairwoman.

Tristar Homes is run by a board made up of 18 company directors - six tenants, six representatives from Stockton Borough Council, and six independents.

Each year, two of the tenants and independents either stand down or seek re-election or re-appointment for a further three- year period.