RESIDENTS are being encouraged to take pride in their newly revamped housing schemes after the landlords teamed up with Groundwork North East and Cumbria.

The three communities - Anson House, Hudson House and Lauder House - in Stockton and Thornaby, will now benefit from green open spaces and their own herb gardens.

The revamp at Lauder House, in Stockton, followed extensive consultation with local residents who expressed their desire for a large green space.

Dave Pickard, director of operations at housing group Thirteen, said: “The aim of the investment programme is to improve and revitalise open spaces to create attractive and safe communities for our customers and other local residents to enjoy.

“Our collaboration with Groundwork has allowed us to liven up local neighbourhoods by bringing gardens and footpaths to areas that may have otherwise been left unused.”

Groundwork, which was established in the region in 1985, delivers a range of social and environmental regeneration programmes that engage communities, private businesses and public sector partners to make sustainable change.

Michele Armstrong, the group's partnerships manager, said: “Green spaces provide an enjoyable and peaceful place for local residents to socialise and help to build a strong sense of community. I am delighted that we can be part of this programme, which will change neighbourhoods for the better.”