Funding for a £7 million affordable housing scheme in Whitburn has been approved, which could provide work for local plasterers, bricklayers or tradespersons with approved plumbing or electrical qualifications.

The project will deliver a sheltered housing development complete with 30 flats, 27 two and three-bedroom homes and 20 two-bedroom bungalows for the elderly and will be supplied Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) and South Tyneside Council.

Bill Brady, the council's lead member for housing futures, commented that the scheme has come at the right time.

"Local residents want to see the Rackly Way site put to good use and Whitburn is in need of more affordable homes for families and more accommodation for older people," he said.

Workers living nearby could find themselves in demand to prepare the homes for occupation.

FHM is a regeneration and public sector firm and is based in Yorkshire, the north-east, the Midlands and the east of England.

Want to know more about our Electrical courses