The Social Development Minister has visited newly refurbished social homes in the Ballysally area of Coleraine.

In total, 25 properties will be refurbished by OakleeTrinity Housing Association; 15 in Mossvale Park and 10 in Glenvara Drive.

Previously, only five of the properties were inhabited, but were in a bad state of repair, and 20 of the homes were empty.

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Minister Storey said: "I must praise OakleeTrinity for the commitment they have shown towards restoring these properties for their tenants, for bringing much-needed social homes back into use and for supporting the community to rejuvenate the area.

"There is no denying, when you look at the properties still to be refurbished, the improvement works have greatly improved the standard of these homes."

Phase One of the refurbishment scheme has seen ten properties in Mossvale Park renovated to include new kitchens, bathrooms, double glazed doors and windows and new oil fired central heating systems.

Phase Two of the refurbishment work is due to start in January 2015 and will be completed in July/August 2015.

(CD/MH)