South Somerset Homes has announced that a project to refurbish 210 homes across Yeovil is now completed.

The works comprised of kitchen and bathroom improvements, central heating installations, window replacement and other internal and external maintenance works.

This is the second such project that has been carried out in close collaboration with Connaught Property Services in recent years.

The first project, completed in March 2001, was the refurbishment of 116 properties in the Monmouth Road area of Yeovil.

Mike Roberts, a Connaught Property Services director, said: "By setting joint standards with South Somerset Homes, involving the tenants in the process, and monitoring and reporting at every stage, we have and will continue to remove most of the problem areas associated with this type of programme.

"No longer is refurbishment a constant battle between contractor and client, but an honest, open working relationship, which benefits all parties."

Janet Stone, Main Board member, Area South Board member and tenant said that the key to both of these projects being such a huge success was due to the integral involvement of the tenants at all stages of the process.

A South Somerset Homes spokesperson said that both projects were monitored against Key Performance Indicators including customer service where surveys show a 99% customer satisfaction rating.

Mrs Sumsion, a resident at Elizabeth Flats for 48 years had a kitchen fitted and is very pleased with the outcome.

"I wish to say a very big thank you for my new kitchen as it has made such a difference to me. Both the site managers and workmen were very kind and thoughtful and did everything that they could to help."