THE last of Thornaby's condemned properties have been demolished.

New homes will now be built in the Mandale area of the town as part of a £100m regeneration scheme.

A total of 578 houses have been knocked down and 770 new homes built since 2004.

The demolition of the last 20 properties means that a further 90 homes can begin to be constructed with work due to be completed in 2016.

Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, Councillor Steve Nelson, said: “These final demolitions are a significant milestone for the scheme and I’m looking forward to seeing the remaining new homes constructed over the next two years.

"The completed estate will be an area everyone can be proud of and will benefit current and future generations for many years to come.”

The regeneration of the estate is being led by Stockton Council in partnership with Tristar Homes, Barratt Homes, Keepmoat and Isos Housing and has received financial support from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Once complete, more than 860 new homes will have been built, including 200 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership. The Government provided money for the programme, although funding for similar schemes in Stockton town has been reduced.