HOUSING Minister Keith Hill yesterday saw for himself how the North-East is helping to deliver the Government's Decent Homes agenda.

During his visit, Mr Hill welcomed the recent publication of the North-East's Regional Housing strategy, which will form the basis for the development of the area's housing agenda.

Members of key housing associations and the newly-formed Regional Housing Board were assured by the Minister that the provision of decent homes remained central to Government policy.

As part of his visit, Mr Hill travelled to Thornley Village, in east Durham, where he handed over the keys to a refurbished bungalow to the new tenants.

Mr Hill stressed that decent housing was a vitally important component of sustainable communities and none more so than in the North-East.

"The partnerships I have seen today tell me people in the region are working enthusiastically to ensure decent housing is becoming a reality, especially in areas where traditional industries have long gone and where towns and villages have declined."

Commenting on the regeneration scheme in Thornley Village by the Durham Coalfields Partnership, Mr Hill said: "This is a good example of what a strong partnership approach to the problem of providing decent homes can achieve.

"The quality of the refurbishment is excellent."