COUNCIL tenants in Richmondshire should see more investment in their homes during the next few years thanks to an improvement project introduced by the local authority.

A seven-year plan has been drawn up in response to a Government directive that all council properties should meet a set standard by 2010.

Richmondshire District Council will spend £1.7m on the project this year.

In all, 56 properties will be re-roofed, 71 will will be fitted with new windows and doors, 26 will have their coal-fired heating systems replaced by gas central heating, 65 will have replacement boilers, 39 will be rewired and 38 will have new kitchens or bathrooms installed.

In addition, the sheltered housing complex in Quaker Lane, in Reeth, will be modernised.

Council housing unit manager Colin Dales said: "This plan represents a major investment in council-owned properties, designed to meet our own local priorities for housing as well as satisfy national guidelines.

"We have also worked closely with the tenants themselves to ensure that their needs are fully catered for."