A HOUSING scheme worth £20m will be introduced in run-down areas of Hartlepool.

The town's MP, Peter Mandelson, yesterday launched Hartlepool Revival, which will target areas where Victorian terraced properties are falling into disrepair.

The organisation will work closely with residents and Hartlepool Borough Council to upgrade homes during the next eight years.

Mr Mandelson said: "Improved housing and the environment in areas of the town, which have suffered from the decline, will bring direct benefits for residents as well as improving the qualities of life for families across Hartlepool.

"The Government's New Deal for Communities has proved itself to be a real success already, so I look forward to the years of improvements for people of our town.

"Good housing is essential for building strong and sustainable communities, which is why I am proud to launch the Hartlepool Revival."

The Endeavour Housing Association and The Guinness Trust are leading the scheme, which is one of the first of its kind in the country.

Endeavour, one of the region's main housing providers, looks after the needs of more than 1,400 tenants in Tees Valley, Durham and North Yorkshire while the Guinness Trust has about 1,400 homes in the North-East including more than 350 in the Hartlepool area.

The revival project has come about following a joint bid to Hartlepool New Deal for Communities and will be working closely with the council, the Housing Corporation, the Government Office North-East and other private and public sector partners.

Charlie Hughes, chief executive of Endeavour Housing, said: "The launch of Hartlepool Revival signals the start of a venture, which will provide improved housing for residents and significant environmental improvements such as new pocket parks, gardens to some existing terraced houses and some newly built properties.

"There is a surplus of old and unsuitable housing for modern day needs in Hartlepool, and the plan includes some demolition so we will be working with everyone involved. The launch is an important step but there is still a lot of work to do."