TENANTS' champion Norman Button has been elected chairman of a company managing 5,000 council homes in the Wear Valley district.

Dale and Valley Homes takes over responsibility for management, repairs and improvements of the homes from the authority's housing department on April 3.

Mr Button, who is one of five people elected to the board by tenants, is the secretary of Woodhouse Close Residents' Association.

A former maintenance shift leader with British Steel on Teesside, he worked for a number of years as a volunteer with the probation service and is now a member of the Single Regeneration Budget management board in Wear Valley.

He said: "We have an excellent, experienced team in place and the expertise and attributes they bring to the board is tremendous.

"I am deeply committed to improving service for customers. We are focused on getting two stars in our October housing inspection.

"As chair, I will make sure that Dale and Valley Homes is independent and works with the council constructively."

Deputy chairman is former Crook councillor Eddie Tomlinson, who was appointed as one of five independent community members.