FAMILIES look likely to win a battle to have their homes centrally-heated.

People living on part of Seaton Lane Estate, Hartlepool, signed a petition calling for their homes to get full central heating systems, instead of the partial heating they have.

The 38 houses were not included in the Owton Rossmere partnership programme to improve council housing.

A residents' spokesman said: "Most of the winter is spent sleeping downstairs as conditions upstairs are unbearable, especially for the children."

The borough council had agreed to allocate money for the project - but not for two years.

Now, after discussions with One North-East, which has agreed an advance on money coming to the council, members are likely to rubber-stamp a recommendation tomorrow, to include the homes in the 2001 to 2002 programme, at a cost of £150,000.

If the work is agreed, it should be done before winter.