A dilapidated building which has been empty for years has been refurbished with help of an interest free loan from a councils' scheme called No Use Empty.

As a result four new flats are about to become available and could be occupied by Christmas.

Property developer Max Dale owns the four storey building at 24 High Street, Margate. He obtained a £100,000 loan towards the £330,000 cost of the work from No Use Empty, a partnership of Kent County Council and district councils which aims to return empty buildings to use.

No Use Empty has approved interest free loans across Kent totalling £1.1 million and the cash has helped owners renovate nearly 100 properties in east Kent alone.

Mr Dale said: "The loan we received made all the difference between the building falling into further disrepair and turning the property into new homes."

Further information: No Use Empty hotline 08458 247605 or www.no-use-empty.org