A COUNCIL is going up in the world with its plans to give facelifts to its high-rise blocks of flats.

A partnership approach by Middlesbrough Council, structural repairs firm Llewellyn Stonecare and residents themselves is being taken by central Government as a model example to show others how the job should be done.

A pilot scheme on Middlesbrough's Glastonbury House, completed in April last year, was finished ahead of schedule with a 98 per cent satisfaction rate among residents.

Jupiter Court, in Pallister Park, was completed in February and two more high-rise blocks, Milford House and Portland House, will be next to benefit from the scheme.

Dave Dixon, of the council's housing services, said: "Only a limited number of local authorities were involved in the initiative, and I'm pleased to say that Middlesbrough has shown the way for other local authorities to follow.'