A MAJOR £6 million programme of improvements for council houses across Richmondshire has begun.

The district council has appointed Kier Services for its new five year home improvement programme.

The company successfully re-tendered for the work having completed a four year programme ending in March this year.

The local authority, which will spend around £1.2 million a year on the project, has initially prioritised window renewal and making blocks of flats safer following independent fire risk assessments.

Work has already started to replace windows and communal doors with new fire doors. Tenants have been given a choice of two styles of doors.

Housing spokesman Cllr Ian Threlfall said: “This is really good news for our tenants as the new programme responds directly to the feedback they have been giving us in terms of new windows and doors - and it will also ensure that our blocks of flats are as safe as possible in terms of fire safety.”

He added: “The new windows will also mean our homes are more energy efficient and cheaper to run for our tenants.”