SURPRISED tenants opened their front door to find housing chief Diana Terris on their doorstep.

She was pounding the streets of Ditton to talk about Halton Council's proposed transfer of homes to Halton Housing Trust.

"The council firmly believes that transfer is the way forward but it will be for tenants to decide," said Diana, Halton's executive housing director.

"That is why is it so important that they read the formal consultation document, watch the video and ask any questions they may have when they receive a visit from council staff."

Council housing staff will be visiting tenants during October, asking any questions they may have.

If the transfer goes ahead, the trust would be able to invest up to £129m on repairs and improvements to tenants' homes in the first 10 years.

A further £329m could be invested during the following 30 years.

The consultation document explains exactly what the trust means for tenants and their homes, their rents, entitlements and the service they would receive.