THOUSANDS of council house tenants who have yet to comment on the future of their homes are being urged to vote.

Sedgefield Borough Council, which is considering the transfer of its 9,200 homes to a non-profit-making company, and campaigners opposing the move are sending out the same message - "please vote".

More than 11,000 ballot papers have been sent to tenants by the independent Electoral Reform Services, which is administering the ballot.

About 60 per cent of people have voted and letters reminding people that the ballot closes at noon on Tuesday, July 19, have been sent.

The council believes transfer to Sedgefield Housing, created by the council and Sunderland Housing Group, is the best deal for tenants.