A STOCKTON couple celebrated after their kitchen was refurbished as part of a housing modernisation scheme.

Ken and Yvonne Cooper's home in Meldrum Square, Elmtree, was the 750th house to have its kitchen modernised by Yarm Road firm Lovell Eastern.

The company has been updating properties on behalf of Tristar Homes.

Mr Cooper said: "We're chuffed to bits with the kitchen and I was especially pleased to be able to discuss the design and choose my own worktops.

Elaine Corney, chief executive of Tristar Homes, said: "Workmanship has been high, and residents have been kept fully-informed and involved in the selection of certain items."

Albert Bowes, North-East manager for Lovell Eastern, added: "We have teams of craftsmen who are refitting 32 kitchens each week and minimising any disruption caused while work is in progress."