Hundreds of people living in dilapidated homes are to receive help in repairing them thanks to a new multi-million pound scheme.

More than two hundred properties in Bradford are to be targeted in the first phase of a housing renewal scheme in the Barkerend area of Bradford.

Around £300,000 has been made available for the work from Bradford Council's private sector housing budget for the first phase of the scheme and given to Barkerend community project Regen 2000.

The cash will be used to help people improve living conditions by replacing windows or doors, re-roofing, installing central heating and rewiring properties. Those identified as most in need will pay half the cost themselves with the other half coming from the Regen 2000 pot.

In is the first stage of a project which will see millions ploughed into the area. In 2004 Regen 2000 will target more than 3,000 properties for similar home improvement grants.

All the properties selected to take part in the pilot scheme have been chosen following an extensive housing stock condition survey in the Bradford Three postal area, which is covered by Regen 2000.

Nasim Qureshi, the organisation's physical regeneration manager, said: "We have used the information provided by the surveyors Faithful and Gould to identify those houses which are in the worst condition."

The 205 homes selected include properties in Planetrees Road, Rochester Street, Upper Mosscar Street, Ventnor Street, Gladstone Street, Marsland Place, Amberley Street and Lapage Street.

Mr Qureshi said: "Only those properties identified by the surveyors as being in the worst condition will be targeted in this pilot project.

"Not every house in the streets identified will fit the criteria for this initial pilot project."

Two consultation evenings have been organised to discuss the project. One is taking place on at Hazelhurst Court, Leeds Road, Bradford, on Wednesday at 5pm, and the other is at Barkerend Primary School on Thursday at 5pm.

Regen 2000 is a community-led programme in Undercliffe, Laisterdyke, Bradford Moor, Barkerend and Little Germany.