A COUNCIL housing body has begun work on renovating 2,000 properties in the borough.

Arms-length management organisation (ALMO) Ascham Homes aims to replace hundreds of kitchens, bathrooms and roofs over the next five months, as well as carrying out other improvement works.

The project comes after the ALMO was awarded a £23.5million grant to bring homes up to a basic standard of decency.

Much internal refurbishment work has already begun but the bulk of exterior repairs will be carried out early in the new year.

Ascham Homes hopes to complete the project by April 2011.

Private firms Apollo and Breyer have been appointed as contractors for the work, while John Rowan Partners and Ridge will also be working with Ascham Homes to ensure it meets its targets.

A spokeswoman for the housing body said each renovation is subject to a property survey and will be carried out in consultation with residents.

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