RESIDENTS have won the backing of their MP after they were landed with bills for council repairs they say are the authority's fault.

Leaseholders at council-owned properties in Chester-le-Street say that their district authority should pay the full cost of repairs for failing to maintain the flats properly in the first place.

The residents at Chester-le-Street's Pentland Court, Gibbs Court and Reay Court have also complained to the Local Government Ombudsman after learning they may have to pay up to £2,000 for roof repairs.

Under the terms of their lease, residents at seven of the 38 properties, must pay one fifteenth of the cost of any repairs.

But they say that much of the damage was caused by council-appointed contractors not finishing previous work properly and that Chester-le-Street District Council did not carry out proper maintenance.

They also say that the council should replace the roofing, especially as it had stated in correspondence that the roofs would be renewed. The residents also want any costs to be reduced.

The leaseholders, who have formed a residents' society, have won the backing of Durham North MP Kevan Jones, who has sent a number of letters to the council on their behalf.

Residents' spokesman, Rolf Willey, said: "We accept that we may have to pay something, but we maintain that the council caused deterioration of the properties."

He said that he had received a quote from a builder who said he could replace an entire roof on the blocks for about £13,000.

The council is expecting to pay £29,000 for each block, for repairs, he said.

A spokesman for the council said roofing repairs were being carried out so the authority could meet its obligations as a landlord.

He said: "The leaseholders have been informed at all stages. The council's view of their lease is that they should pay one fifteenth of the costs but they have the right to appeal against this."