A MULTI-MILLION pound makeover of Warrington's 9,500 council homes can start after council bosses signed two major contracts.

The deals, agreed at the end of March following a tendering process, are worth more than £85 million over the next five years and deal with major service repairs and improvements to the properties.

For the first time, council workers will go out on Saturday mornings as part of an improved repairs service that will also include a better supply of building materials.

The council's existing property services team has won the first contract to supply response and planned repairs while Bramall Construction and Connaught Property Services have won the right to carry out the capital works.

The work and investment has been made possible after control of council housing in Warrington was passed to a board - freeing up the council to apply for extra grants.

Clr John Kerr-Brown, chairman of the newly-formed Golden Gates Housing, said candidates considered during the tendering process were 'exceptionally strong'.

He added: "We are delighted to announce that Golden Gates property services team has secured this major contract and that was made possible by the commitment and support of the trade unions and our staff."

The changes will allow for area-base repair teams, a newly modernised vehicle fleet and a new salary scheme for staff, and will mean that staff will go out between 8am and 6.30pm through the week and on Saturday mornings.

The capital building work, worth around £65 million, will take place in Westy, Festival and the Bank House areas.

Both contracts are due to start in June.