A £1.9M scheme to transform a rundown estate is under way.

Construction firm Lovell is working in partnership with residents and Sunderland Housing Group to carry out the programme on the Silksworth estate.

It marks the first phase of a five-year agreement, involving the refurbishment of 7,000 homes in the city.

On the Silksworth estate, new kitchens and bathrooms are being fitted in 269 homes.

A special handover ceremony was recently held at the home of Doris Wilkinson, 72, in Cambridge Road, which was the first to be improved.

Estate residents, who are remaining in their homes while the work is carried out, have been closely involved in the design of their kitchens and bathrooms, with each one having access to computer-generated graphics.

Lovell aims to refurbish four homes a week during its 18 months on the estate.

David Dixon, local company director of Sunderland Housing Group, said: "This scheme is the first where we have partnered with a private building company to modernise our customers' homes.

"We have been very impressed with the professionalism and service demonstrated by Lovell and look forward to continuing our relationship."