A TOWN'S council tenants and leaseholders have until the end of this week to give their views on their authority's £232m improvement plan for council housing.

All of Gateshead Borough Council's 26,442 tenants and leaseholders recently received a questionnaire, which asked them if they wanted to support the setting up of an arm's-length organisation, to manage council housing in the future.

Thousands of people have already returned their questionnaires, but the council is urging anyone who has not done so, to make sure that they give their views on the plans by tomorrow.

The authority was recently awarded £63m from the Government, as a first instalment of a possible £232m of funding over the next seven years.

The funding, which would be used to improve thousands of council houses, will only be secured if the new company gets tenants and leaseholders' approval, via the borough-wide questionnaire.

Anyone who wants more information can contact their local council housing office, or Jill White on 0191-433 2653.