HOUSE hunting tenants could benefit from up to £10,000 cash to help them set up their own home.

An extra £200,000 has been pumped into the Cash Incentive Scheme, which means council tenants from across the borough, including Newton, are being offered financial assistance to buy property.

The move is designed to free up council properties to try to meet the high housing demands.

So far £66,635 in grants has been paid out to 12 former tenants.

The scheme, which started in July 1995, is open to all tenants who have occupied council houses for more than two years.

The total grant of up to £10,000 is also designed to help to cover legal costs.

A council spokesman said: "The amount of money granted to each individual reflects the price paid for the home.

"The principle behind this scheme is to release property in areas where there is demand for housing.

"Those who are unsuccessful in their bids will be held on registers and they will be considered before more recent applications."

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