A CELEBRATION is planned for flood-hit Skinningrove as the first set of residents prepare to move back to their renovated homes.

Just over a month ago, freak floods destroyed dozens of homes in the small east Cleveland village, and devastated residents' lives.

Twelve homes are ready for the return of residents, and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is planning a presentation on Monday, to celebrate with villagers.

Each of the 12 homes will receive a hamper, containing food and cleaning materials, to mark the end of the first phase of the council's work programme.

It aims to complete repairs to more than 40 homes by mid-October.

Although some families remained in their homes after the flood, many have been living in temporary accommodation.

It took three to four weeks for the worst-affected properties to dry out before a council workforce, including five jobless recruits from the village, could begin its work.

That involved removing old plaster from the walls, removing sections of internal walls, then replastering and fitting new floor tiles. Residents were given the chance to make interior design changes if they wanted to.

Councillor Dave McLuckie, the council's lead member for community safety, will make the presentations.

He said: "Monday has been the day we've been aiming for ever since we began a proper assessment of the damage to properties.

"I must pay tribute to the patience and understanding from the residents, and the efforts put in by the council workforce.

"We're not pretending things are properly back to normal, but we're certainly getting there. There's real progress being made."

The council hopes another nine homes will be completed on September 1 and six more by September 22.

The remaining 46 properties undergoing repairs are a mix of council, owner-occupier and Endeavour Housing Association, and should be completed by October 15.

The council is continuing to man an advice surgery in the old school every second Wednesday.

The old school is also being used as a base for the workforce and the housing officer, who is responsible for coordinating the moves.