FAMILIES are swapping hectic city lives in south London for a more peaceful existence in Wear Valley under a scheme to fill empty council houses.

Five families have already moved to the district from the borough of Lewisham and 30 more have applied to move to the area.

The move is part of the national Lawn Scheme, which aims to balance demand for council properties across the country.

Wear Valley District Council signed up to join the scheme a year ago and since March it has been publicising spare houses it wants to fill.

Of about five London authorities that the district council has approached, Lewisham Council is the first to take advantage of the initiative.

Matching people from Lewisham Council's massive housing waiting list to empty homes in the Wear Valley enables both authorities to tackle opposing problems.

Wear Valley has about 300 empty council houses which can attract anti-social behaviour and fall into disrepair, blighting local communities.

Cash is available from Lewisham to renovate houses, including fitting central heating boilers and new kitchens.

In Lewisham, the scheme is helping to find suitable homes for some of the 25,000 families on its council house waiting list.

Richard Roddam, service development officer at Wear Valley District Council, said: "People have always been able to apply for council houses across the country. Every application is assessed on the same housing needs points basis.

"Local people want to see empty properties filling, so we joined the Lawn scheme and are promoting the area to London boroughs. Pensioners and families where parents have secured jobs before their arrival have already moved in and are very happy with the standard of living. But it won't be the case that masses of Londoners are moved into our smaller communities."

Pat Hayes, executive director of regeneration at Lewisham Council, said: "We have been very encouraged by the scheme so far, and the partnership with Wear Valley District Council.

"The Lewisham residents who have been found homes in the region have expressed their delight at the welcome and support they have received from local people, businesses and other agencies such as schools."

Mr Roddam said Wear Valley was looking at other ways to occupy its surplus homes, such as using estate agent-style boards and advertising on the Internet.

It may also team up with Catterick Garrison Army base to offer properties to soldiers who have left the forces early, possibly for medical reasons.