Extensive renovation have been carried out by the Housing Executive in Kilkeel to modernise the Slieveshan Flats, as part of a £275,000 project.

District Manager Jim Bagnall welcomed the completion of the work.

He said: "I am delighted to be here today to welcome our new tenants to their homes.

"This major improvement scheme is part of the Housing Executive’s strategic approach to ensuring that our tenants have good quality, modern and comfortable homes.

"Prior to the work commencing we had six flats, now we have four flats and one, three bedroom family home. Two of the flats previously had only one bedroom and proved unpopular.

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"Combined with the communal access to all the flats we were increasingly having problems allocating the flats," he said.

The extensive work that was carried out included re-designing of the block and internal layouts as well as providing new PVC double glazed windows, new internal and external doors, new kitchens and bathrooms as well as oil-fired central heating.

New resident, Lisa Cunningham, said: "I couldn’t be happier having been allocated one of these properties.

"It is like moving into a brand new home the amount of work that has been carried out. This is a quiet settled area and I am looking forward to living here."

Mayor of Newry and Mourne, Colman Burns, added: "The extensive work the Housing Executive has carried out in response to the needs of local people has to be commended."

(PR/JM)