New council homes are to be built in Thanet for the first time in two decades.

The local authority is one of only 10 in the South East to receive government funding to address its housing needs, with £374,500 awarded to build five new homes on former garage sites in Hugin Avenue, St Peter's, and St Christopher Close, Margate.

The houses, which must be completed by March 2011, will be allocated through Thanet council's choice-based lettings scheme, which allows anyone seeking housing to express an interest for homes advertised by either the council or local housing
associations.

Cllr Zita Wiltshire, the authority's cabinet member for community services, described the funding as "great news for Thanet" and said the homes would be "warmly welcomed".

She added: "More affordable homes are desperately needed in the district and these homes will make a big difference to the lives of five families.

"I look forward to seeing work starting on these homes and to seeing people move into them when they're completed."