Contractors on Bradford's dispute- hit Thorpe Edge estate are set to return to work this week, ending weeks of misery for tenants.

Residents in high-rise flats caught in the crossfire between Bradford Council and Mexborough-based building firm Weaver Construction claim they have suffered leaking roofs and minor flooding since workers walked off site in August.

Weaver ordered workers from Thackley-based sub-contractor Paragon Roofing & Asphalt Ltd to down tools after disagreement over the specifications of the work being carried out on the estate.

But it is believed that negotiations between Council officers and Weaver representatives on Friday arrived at a compromise agreement paving the way for work to continue. Peter Hatherell, High Rise Tenants Association vice-chairman, offered a cautious welcome to news of the return.

He said: "All we can now do now is sit and wait and hope. The time has come to find out when they are going to get men on site to do the work. The sooner the better."

A spokesman for Bradford Council's housing and environmental protection directorate said that builders were likely to be back on site by the end of this week.

Weavers director Steve Marshall said: "We expect to have a presence on site next week or the week after at the latest."

He also confirmed that Weavers would be carrying out the work to original contract specifications.

Nigel Lambert, of Gerard House, who is co-chairman of Thorpe Edge Community Forum, says he has had eight leaks in his top-floor flat since the dispute started three weeks ago.

He said: "It's good news. From a personal point view I am delighted that the workers are returning. The last thing I want is to struggle through the autumn and winter without a roof. If I have my heating on now all the heat just goes straight through the roof.

"I would rather they did the work and then if the Council is not happy then they can fight it out."

Residents have raised concerns that the work should be carried out to original specifications, allowing water to drain away from the roof of the high-rise buildings.

Mr Lambert said: "If they going to continue as they were before what was the point of having the dispute in the first place?"

The problems started back in May when Council bosses launched an investigation after tenants' homes were flooded as Weaver Construction carried out the £767,000 contract to renew roof and central heating systems and fit kitchens.

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