HOUSING Hartlepool is marking its third anniversary with the completion of its 2,500th refurbishment.

The housing association has invested £41m in improvements since it was formed in April, 2004.

So far, 6,300 of the 7,000 properties in its ownership have benefited from some improvement or maintenance work in the past three years.

As part of the improvements, four out of five houses have been fitted with new doors that meet the "Secured By Design" standard, offering enhanced security.

The 2,500th home to be improved was that of Erin Tate and her partner Philip Langley, in Jutland Road, Hartlepool.

The 28-year-old mother-of-four said: "The refurbishment of the house has been brilliant. I am really pleased with the work."

Sylvia Thubron, head of Housing Investment for Housing Hartlepool, said: "Since the formation of the company, we have carried out a planned programme of improvement that exceeds the standard laid down by the Government.

"There is still much work to do, but we expect to complete our full refurbishment programme in advance of the 2010 deadline."

Among the refurbishment carried out, half the homes have had new kitchens installed and one third have had new bathrooms.

Ms Thubron said: "We involve tenants at every stage of the refurbishment. With kitchen replacements, they have the choice of layout as well as a range of doors, worktops, handles and flooring to ensure that they are provided with a kitchen that suits their individual tastes."