Mid Devon gets £1.4m to improve up to 550 council homes

More than 500 council homes are set to be refurbished by a Devon authority with £1.4m worth of government money.

Mid Devon District Council will receive the money between 2013-2015 from the Department of Communities and Local Government.

The improvements will include new kitchens and electrical upgrades.

Mid Devon's housing manager Nick Sanderson said there were 3,100 council houses and they would "prioritise" those that needed improvements most.

The council is one of 50 authorities to receive government funding.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps said: "Too many families live in non-decent accommodation so I am pleased that so many of them will see a difference due this funding."

Mr Sanderson told BBC News by sticking to its current budget and housing plan, he was confident the funding could help to refurbish as many as 550 properties.

The proposed allocation of funding for Mid Devon is £200,000 in 2013/2014 and £1.2m in 2014/2015.