Aberdeenshire Councillors have approved funds of £250,000 to help home owners in the area.

Home owners within Aberdeenshire are now able to apply for a loan from a minimum value of £5,000 for home improvements.

The fund will be administered by the local authority's Social Work and Housing Service, and loans will be granted subject to eligibility, and in return for a share of equity that is repaid to the Council when the loan applicant's property is sold.

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Chair of Aberdeenshire Council's Housing and Social Work Committee, Councillor Karen Clark, said: "The equity loan scheme provides a solution to assist home owners who genuinely can't afford to pay for essential repairs and maintenance to their homes.

"By providing access to affordable finance to create housing that is energy efficient as well as fit for purpose the council can continue to improve the standard of housing in the private sector – a key consideration in our wider housing policies too.

"I encourage people to look into this option and take advantage of the Equity Loans Scheme if they are eligible."

Priority will be given to older or vulnerable homeowners, properties in selected regeneration areas and ex-council properties which adjoin existing council properties.

(JP/CD)