A NEWLY-FORMED partnership begins work next week to transform a district's former council houses.

Derwentside Homes, which oversees former council housing in north-west Durham, has appointed Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) North-East to modernise 2,000 properties across the district over the next three years.

The plan aims to breathe new life into neighbourhoods and instil a sense of community pride.

FHM North-East, part of Keepmoat plc, has operated in the region for more than a decade, involved in refurbishment, retirement and regeneration schemes.

Derwentside Homes said FHM was selected as its partner for the project because of quality, price and its ability to deliver.

Steve Melvin, Derwentside Homes' property services director, said: "This is part of a major initiative to improve residents' homes, which will see them upgraded to a level well in excess of the Government's decent homes standard.

"We're confident FHM's experience, commitment and resident-focused approach will encourage the communities affected by the improvement work to become involved and feel able to contribute to the area's transformation."

Derwentside Homes was established after Derwentside District Council tenants voted in favour of transferring housing to a registered social landlord.

The locally owned and controlled association has a management board of five council nominees, five elected tenants and five independent members.

It took on ownership of the 7,000 properties last December.

The £19m FHM programme will include new bathrooms, kitchens, rewiring and heating systems, to be installed according to each home's need.

The work will begin in Albion Gardens, Burnopfield, on Tuesday.

When fully under way, the improvement teams will be working in about 20 properties at a time, taking about a month to complete each modernisation.

FHM North-East managing director David Mellor said: "We aim to become truly integrated into the communities in which we work."

He said the company hopes to support local charities, create nature reserves at local schools and improve community facilities, although the main priority will be to help Derwentside Homes' residents.