A COUNCIL is to recognise the work of a handful of its tenants.

Stockton Borough Council's annual tenants' awards were introduced in 1989 as a way of saying thank-you to residents who have been tenants for many years and have worked tirelessly for the benefit of their communities.

This year, 23 tenants - several of whom have lived in council houses for more than 30 years - will receive their awards from the Mayor of Stockton, Councillor Terry Bean, at Preston Hall Museum, Eaglescliffe.

Councillor Steve Nelson, cabinet member for housing, said: "These tenants are a credit to their neighbours, their communities and the council as a whole."

One of the tenants who are being rewarded is more than 70-years-old, has been a tenant for 42 years, and has been on various council panels, such as a customer testing panel and the homes for the future tenants' group.

The awards ceremony will take place at the museum from noon on Wednesday.

Tenants will also be celebrating an announcement that Stockton council has retained its charter mark for housing management for the third time.

Stockton is one of just a few housing departments in the country to receive this recognition.

Assessors for the charter mark said: "This is a very professional department, which has continued to improve since being awarded the charter mark in 1995 and 1998.

"The application was particularly strong on the standards of service and performance, consultation, encouraging access and the extensive work with other providers to ensure that tenants have the best service."

Coun Nelson said: "This is excellent news and is a credit to the efforts of our staff, who always strive to provide a first-class service for all of our tenants."