HOUSING Hartlepool has joined forces with two companies to carry out improvements to thousands of homes across the town.

The not-for-profit organisation, which took over the running of council housing earlier this year, has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Gus Robinson Developments and Wates Construction.

The partnership, which also involves Housing Hartlepool's building services team, will result in more than £99m spent on former council properties over the next six years.

Improvements include new kitchens, bathrooms and doors. The agreement was signed at Housing Hartlepool's Greenbank offices.

Chief executive Cath Purdy said: ""Modernisation works have already started in the Oxford Road and Rift House areas, but now that this partnership has been formally agreed we intend to step up the programme of works."

All Housing Hartlepool properties will exceed the Government's Decent Homes standard by 2010.