Tenants are being urged to play their part in the running of their housing estates.

Bradford Community Housing Trust is appealing to tenants on estates to become members of six boards across the district.

As members of the board, residents will get a say in how to spend the £175 million allocated for a five-year Bradford-wide repair and improvement programme.

"Board members are a crucial part of ensuring that the group stays close to what tenants want and that's because the boards have a tenant majority," said Martin Smith, chairman of the housing trust. Each board will be made up of 15 members, eight tenants, five independents and two councillors.

"Tenant board members need not have formal qualifications, just a general knowledge and understanding of what's happening in their particular communities and a desire to improve things," said Mr Smith.

Board members' duties include approving business plans, monitoring performance and agreeing audit plans.

The election of board members will be overseen by an independent body. Nominations begin on Monday, July 14, and voting will take place on Monday, August 18.

The community housing trust has now started a huge investment programme to improve the 25,000 properties it is responsible for.

Arthur and Jackie Green, of Fencote Crescent, Fagley, have had windows and doors fitted in their home as part of a renovation programme on their estate.

"The new windows have made such a difference to our home," said Mr Green, 61 who suffers from angina, diabetes and arthritis. Residents will also receive a new bathroom suite and kitchen and all trust houses will get stone cladding.

"We are really pleased that things are happening so quickly. When we got the letter we thought it would never happen and within four weeks it has," said Mrs Green, 56.

"I have lived on this estate all my life and it used to be lovely, one of the best. Nothing was done here for 14 years and I hope that this new scheme will help us to get it back to how it was then, a nice place for people to live."

The Trust was formed in February this year following the transfer of the ownership of homes from Bradford Council.