FRESH details have emerged about a multi-million pound plan to modernise more than 10,000 council homes and demolish 1,000 others.

Stockton Borough Council has already agreed to start £20m of work on the Mandale estate, in Thornaby, demolishing 578 homes and redeveloping the area.

But it has emerged that up to £9,000 will be spent on each of the 10,500 council houses across the borough of Stockton by the end of the decade.

Facilities including bathrooms and kitchens will be improved as part of the plan.

The details of the seven to ten-year plan have been revealed after the Government released an extra £44.5m to the council.

The money has been made available because the council is one of eight involved in a pilot scheme to involve tenants in the decision-making process.

It is hoped a further £30m will come from the private sector and further money will come from taxpayers, bringing the total to £160m.

Earlier this year, The Northern Echo revealed that a partnership deal had been struck with the council, Tristar Homes, which took over the running of council houses four years ago, and four leading contractors to complete the work.

A spokesman for Stockton Borough Council said the authority was in a position to start projects which did not require a lengthy wait for external funding.

He said: "Previously, strict Whitehall guidelines determined when and how money could be spent on places like Norton Grange and Ragworth, in Stockton, and Thornaby's Holmes and Middlefield estates, and other residents could be forgiven for feeling left out. Now things are improving dramatically."

A spokesman for Tristar Homes said he hoped local businesses would become involved and appealed for businesses to contact them.

He said: "The plan involves the majority of properties in Thornaby, Billingham and Stockton being inspected. The partners involved are Connaught Property Services, in Billingham, Frank Haslam Milan, in Thornaby. In Stockton, the Mears Group will be responsible for 5,000 properties and Dunelm Property Services 3,000.

"The volume of work can only be achieved by involving the local business community," he said.