A HOUSING modernisation scheme is helping to reduce a town's unemployment.

Fifty apprentices and trainees have been recruited in a £140m scheme to renovate all Stockton Borough Council houses by 2010.

Contractors and sub-contractors involved in the project have recruited apprentices as plumbers, painters, electricians, joiners, bricklayers and plasterers.

Other people been given the opportunity to train for professional qualifications such as quantity surveying, and several have gained jobs under a back-to-work scheme.

More people will be offered jobs in the months ahead.

Francis Hayes, chairman of the board of Tristar Homes, which is responsible for the management of Stockton's council houses, said: "This is just the start.

"We have just received our latest round of funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to allow us to press ahead with the next phase in our programme.

"This will undoubtedly lead to the recruitment of even more local people, because the volume of work to be carried out over the next few years can only be achieved by involving the local business community and using the local supply chain."

Council leader Councillor Bob Gibson said: "One of the major benefits of such a comprehensive programme was always going to be the additional job and training opportunities for everyone, but especially young people.

"Obviously our tenants are getting improved homes, including new kitchens and bathrooms. It is especially pleasing to see the benefits rippling out and having the anticipated knock-on effect of creating proper long-term employment and training opportunities, which will further enhance the economic development in the borough.''

So far, more than 4,000 homes in the area have been modernised.

The four partners implementing the £140m programme are Connaught Property Services, which is working in Billingham, Frank Haslam Milan, in Thornaby, and the Mears Group and Dunelm Property Services, which are working in Stockton.

More training opportunities are being created by CJM Property Services, Vickers Construction and Tristar Homes, which is carrying out refurbishment work