COUNCIL house tenants in Stockton are being given the chance to make a difference.

Tristar Homes, Stockton Borough Council's new arm's-length management company responsible for the maintenance and management of its 14,000 council housing stock, is launching an initiative to improve its services by inviting tenants to join two working groups.

Members of the groups will have a direct say in improving the repairs and maintenance service of the company.

A Repairs Service Customer Work Group will deal with setting standards of service, mystery shopping exercises and reviewing tenant information among its varied roles.

A second group will make recommendations regarding the selection of materials used for general repairs and also modernisation schemes.

Tristar Homes chief executive Elaine Corney said: "This is an opportunity for our customers to have a real say and assist in shaping our repairs service for the future. We want to meet their needs and aspirations as far as possible and would like to hear their suggestions."

Anyone who is interested in joining either or both of the groups is asked to contact Gary Bolton on (01642) 393630.