CONCERN has been expressed about a row of houses left empty on a Darlington estate after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) put them on the market.

Councillor Ian Hazeldine, whose Lingfield ward includes Sheerwater Avenue, said he hopes the houses are sold as soon as possible.

"It doesn't look good when there are rows of houses with for sale signs up in a street," he said.

"The sooner they are sold, the better, because the longer these properties remain vacant, the more likely they are to attract vandals."

Nine homes in Sheerwater Avenue are being marketed by Halifax Property Services.

The three-bedroom semi-detached properties were used as family living quarters for servicemen and women based at the nearby Catterick Garrison Army base.

But four years ago the Defence Housing Executive, acting on behalf of the MoD, sold its entire national housing stock to private firm Annington Homes.

The houses were immediately leased back to the MoD, but many properties have become surplus to requirements.

The houses have all been vacated and were put on the market about three weeks ago with asking prices of between £52,950 and £54,950.

Coun Hazeldine said: "I would think they would make perfect homes for first-time buyers and young families."

David James, senior branch manager with Halifax Property Services in Darlington, said a number of inquiries about the houses had already been received.

"We have accepted offers on three of the houses and another is in the process of being sold," he said.

"They are all good properties, which have been well-maintained, and we expect to have sold them all by the end of summer."