NEW council tenants have given a decidedly mixed response to their accommodation.

Some 34 per cent said the condition of the property was excellent or good, 47 per cent felt that it was average, while 19 per cent were dissatisfied.

These were the results of a survey carried out among people who had recently moved into their council homes.

One of the main findings was that prospective tenants found it very helpful when a member of staff accompanied them on their first viewing of a property.

The standard of the decoration was the biggest area of concern among new tenants.

Councillor John Smith, housing spokesman, said that the council had gleaned valuable information from this and other surveys.

He said the findings would help the local authority make improvements in its repairs and maintenance service.

The council held a prize draw to encourage tenants to return their questionnaires. Winner of the £50 prize was Freda Malach of Limefield in Bury.