ELDERLY and disabled people in Darlington are to benefit from £1.6m of funding to improve their homes.

About 400 home owners in the town will get help adapting and repairing their properties this year from a new home improvement agency, Care and Repair Darlington.

The agency, a partnership between Three Rivers Housing Group, Darlington Borough Council and Darlington Primary Care Trust, will provide financial, technical and practical assistance to help people live independently in their own homes.

Alan Milburn MP, launching the scheme at Darlington Town Hall yesterday, said it was a boost for the town.

"The need to help someone to maintain their home and adapt it to meet their changing needs is increasing, particularly with an ageing population," he said.

"It is great to see that the people in need in Darlington have the benefit of a new and improved home improvement agency to make their lives safer and more comfortable."

Those to benefit from the £1.6m grant will be mainly elderly, disabled or on a low income.

The majority will be means-tested to access four types of funding - disabled facilities grants, large and small scale works funding and empty homes assistance funding.

Agency project manager Eric Dowson said: "Housing needs can change dramatically when a member of the household develops a physical disability - whether as a result of an accident, illness or becoming frail with age.

"We work on the householders' behalf as an independent broker with numerous professionals including occupational therapists and contractors to ensure that works are of good quality and appropriate to meet clients' needs."

For the first time in Darlington a handyman service is being provided through the agency to carry out small domestic repair and installation jobs.

Councillor Lee Vasey, the council's cabinet member for housing, said: "We look forward to working with our partners in developing new services.

"With the best practices and experience brought by Three Rivers from their other home improvement agencies in the region, we are confident our clients will receive a quality level of service."