The next phase in a high profile project which will see 35 rundown houses in Stoke-on-Trent sold for just £1 each has been launched.

The city council is encouraging eligible residents to submit their application forms before the closing date of May 12.

The major regeneration scheme is being funded by the city council and government and will transform the Portland Street area of Cobridge.

The aim of the pioneering programme is to revamp the empty council-owned properties which have fallen into disrepair.

The city council will initially cover the cost of refurbishing the homes and will sell them for just £1. However, the new owners will have to pay back the cost of the refurbishment over a set period of time.

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It is the first phase in a £3 million project which will see 124 long term empty homes in Portland Street and Bond Street brought back into use.

The project will include a range of initiatives focusing primarily on the renovation and reoccupation of the empty properties and then moving onto various projects with the aim of creating a sustainable community.

The eligibility criteria and application forms are available online at www.stoke.gov.uk/clusterhomes.

Councillor Janine Bridges, cabinet member for housing, neighbourhoods and community safety, said: "We are now at a very exciting stage in this major project which will see a rundown area of the city transformed. This is a long running commitment to Cobridge on behalf of the city council.

"The project will not only benefit the residents who are currently living next to properties that have been vacant for some time, it will also give families moving into the homes the chance to take their first step on the property ladder. As part of our Mandate for Change we pledged to make Stoke-on-Trent a great place to live and this scheme is helping us to fulfil that promise."

(CD)