TIME is running out for council tenants who have not yet voted to decide the future of their homes.

Hartlepool Borough Council has been consulting tenants on a proposal to transfer all its homes to Housing Hartlepool, a new, independent, not-for-profit organisation that would own and manage the homes.

Every council tenant in Hartlepool has been given the opportunity to vote on the proposal but must do so by the deadline of noon on July 25.

John Lauderdale, portfolio holder for town management, said: "We have given tenants all the facts and it is now up to them to decide what they want to see happen in the future.

"Every tenant across the town should have received a ballot paper and I would urge everyone to use their vote."

Tenants can vote by returning their ballot paper in the enclosed pre-paid envelope or, alternatively, by phoning in their vote.

Housing Hartlepool would be run by a management board made up equally of five tenants, five council representatives and five independent people.

Anyone who has either lost or has not received a ballot paper is asked to contact Electoral Reform Services on (0208) 889 9203.