STOCKTON Borough Council has been named by the Government as the leading housing authority in the North-East region for the third year running.

The council has also been rated as "well above average" three years in a row.

The authority learned that it was one of just eight councils in the country to have been chosen to pilot the Government's Arms Length Housing Management programme.

And, subject to tenants' support and a positive inspection, a place on the programme would also bring £44.5m of additional borrowing approvals to pay for repairs and improvements to council homes across the borough. The council has also been awarded its benchmark Charter Mark for housing management for the third time.

Stockton is just one of a few housing services nationwide to receive this ongoing recognition of its commitment to service delivery.

Steve Nelson, Stockton council's cabinet member for housing, said: "All of these successes are a credit to the hard work and dedication of our staff and reflect our efforts as an authority to provide first class housing services for our tenants."

Neil Schneider, the council's director of housing and contract services, said: "All of this means the future for Stockton looks very bright indeed, and we will be working closely with our tenants in the New Year to start to shape the future of council housing across the borough."