AN MP has welcomed a vote by residents in his constituency to transfer management of council homes to a social housing company.

Earlier this week, council tenants in Derwentside voted in favour of transferring management of the authority's 7,600 homes to newly-estaboished not-for-profit company Derwentside Homes.

About two-thirds of tenants took part in the telephone and postal ballot, with 76 per cent of them voting in favour of transfer.

Kevan Jones MP, whose North Durham constituency covers the Stanley part of Derwentside district, welcomed the decision.

Mr Jones said: "I was very pleased to see that so many tenants took the time to vote on this important issue.

"With such a good turnout, and such a large majority in favour, there is now a clear mandate for the transfer to go ahead.

"Now that the tenants have taken this decision, more funds will be available to repair and improve the housing stock in Derwentside, which I am sure everyone will welcome."

The transfer, which will also see about one-third of the district council's workforce move to Derwentside Homes, is expected to be completed by autumn 2006.