A HOUSING tenant has become the first person to improve her home with the help of a saving scheme.

Sandra Brown has qualified for a £250 loan with a partnership saving and loan scheme after building up savings of £125 in an account opened just four months ago.

The account is with the Helping Hand Saving and Loan Scheme, a partnership between the Darlington Building Society, five local and national housing associations and the Housing Corporation.

It offers small loans to 11,000 residents in the Tees Valley.

Mrs Brown, from Brambles Farm, Middlesbrough, said: "Moving into our new bungalow was an expensive time as we had to renew our furniture, so we have used the Helping Hand scheme to save for a few months. Once the loan came through we were able to buy all our paint, wallpaper, and have been able to do all the redecorating.'