A COMPANY has been awarded a £2m contract to build almost 40 affordable homes in Richmondshire.

Tees Valley Housing Group (TVHG) will be working on eight sites across the area, providing low-cost property in Skeeby, Brompton-on-Swale, Colburn and Richmond.

"We are delighted to be involved in this partnership with Richmondshire District Council,'' said the housing group's chief executive, Alison Thain.

"The group has much to offer in terms of our experience and we welcome the opportunity to establish a presence in the district and build a long-term relationship with the council."

The authority's housing manager, Colin Dales, said: "We wanted to develop a co-ordinated approach to our community housing programme across the district.

"To ensure that we achieved this, we decided it would be best to work in partnership with a single developer throughout the council's area, so that we can provide a high-quality housing solution for as many local people as possible.