HOUSEHOLDS across Darlington are set to benefit from £2 million of repairs and improvements.

More than three hundred homes in the town this year, and the same next year, have been earmarked for the work paid for by Darlington Borough Council.

The council properties are all in the Lascelles and Redhall area of the town and all are in need of extensive decoration. All the homes will have new bathrooms and kitchens installed and they will be rewired.

Tenants will be able to choose what colour of kitchen units, bathroom suites and wall and floor tiles they want.

The energy efficiency in the homes is also set to be improved to help cut heating bills for residents.

All the properties will be fitted with industry standard loft insulation, UPVC windows and, where appropriate, thermostatic radiator valves.

Paul Baldwin, the council's cabinet member for housing, said: "The work is part of an ongoing improvement plan which will bring benefits for tenants in more than 600 hundred homes across the town."

Home owners in the town are also set to benefit from a new home improvement service which has been set up by the council and the Three Rivers Housing Association

The service will begin operating in April and will handle all requests for improvement work from homeowners in the town.

The housing association will hand out grants for renovation, home repairs and for improvements to help the disabled.

It total it will be distribute around £1 million a year to people living in Darlington.

The housing association will also help clients through the claims process and help them choose a suitable contractor to carry out the work.

As part of the scheme the housing association will also provide a handyman service for the elderly and disabled to provide a speedy response to requests for small jobs around the home.