HUNDREDS of council tenants in north Durham have visited two newly-opened show homes to assess a proposed £117m investment programme.

More than 600 people have visited the properties to see what improvements would be on offer if Derwentside District Council's 7,600 homes transferred to a not-for-profit landlord, Derwentside Homes.

The properties, in Consett and East Stanley, have been transformed in recent weeks to demonstrate the major investment programme that would be undertaken if transfer goes ahead.

If tenants vote in favour of the transfer, in a ballot later this year, Derwentside Homes would invest £117m in tenants' homes and services during the first 13 years.

The council could only afford to invest £51m over the same period of time, leaving a £66m shortfall.

The chairman of Derwentside Homes' shadow board of management, Councillor Carl Christer, said: "The feedback we have had shows that tenants are positive about the proposals after visiting the show homes.

"There is still a chance for tenants to visit the properties before the ballot, and I would urge anyone who wants to see what Derwentside Homes could deliver for tenants to check them out."

The council is providing a free transport service to ensure that every tenant who wants to see the show homes is able to do so.

The show homes are at 10 Ashdale Road, Consett, and 10 Clowes Walk, East Stanley. They are open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10am to 4pm, Thursday, from 1pm to 7pm, and Saturday, from 10am to 1pm.

To find out about the free transport, ring the council's freephone information line, 0800 977 6018.

For more information about the show homes, ring the council's free phone or the Independent Tenant Advisor, TPAS, on freephone 0800 169 1814.