TO most people it is simply a garage. But to the group of residents giving it a facelift, the building represents freedom.

Each of the six people painting the walls of the garage attached to a large house in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, is recovering from mental illness.

For several, it is the first time in a decade that they are enjoying the pleasures of domestic life, cooking, cleaning, shopping and making choices.

That is why they are taking so much pleasure in transforming the garage and considering whether to install a pool table and weights.

The Endeavour Housing Association has put £120,0000 into the project which includes converting the house the garage is attached to, into modern bedsits.

It is a pioneering plan with partners Middlesbrough Council and support organisation Creative Support which is providing round-the-clock cover.

Endeavour director Charlie Hughes said: "What we are doing is endorsing the Government's agenda of providing vulnerable people with greater choice in methods of care and the chances of independent living. The Linthorpe project can be viewed as a brave, bold step for all concerned and I am delighted that it is working well."

Helen Dunne, Creative Support manager, said: "It is obvious that the people who are involved in painting the garage are very enthusiastic about what they are doing and they are getting more and more confident about making decisions on their own."

Similar schemes are planned for Stockton and Redcar this spring.