RESIDENTS moving into new houses are to be given a seasonal welcome by primary schoolchildren.

Endeavour Housing Association has completed its scheme in Sycamore Way, Hardwick, Stockton, in partnership with Stockton Borough Council's housing and social care departments and the Housing Corporation.

To welcome the residents, a communal Christmas tree is to be put up, and in a ceremony Councillor Martyn Ingram cabinet member for housing on the council, will switch on festive lights.

There will also be a choir and ukulele band from Hardwick Primary School.

The event will take place on site, off Piper Knowle Road at the rear of the University Hospital of North Tees tomorrow, at 4pm.

Charlie Hughes, chief executive of Endeavour, said: "It's always nice to be able to complete a new development at this time of year so the residents are able to settle in before Christmas.

"However, at the same time it can feel a little strange being in a new environment over the festive period, so we felt it was appropriate to organise a seasonal event to mark the completion of the scheme."

The development comprises of six two-bedroomed adapted bungalows to meet the needs of people with a physical disability or sensory loss.

There are also two four-bedroomed houses with one of the houses having a single flat attached.