The first homes in a ?24 million scheme in Ramsey have been officially handed over.

Commissioners’ chairman Mary Bruce performed the ceremony to mark the Lezayre Estate Redevelopment.

The first 11 new homes are now occupied and the overall scheme will continue until 142 new homes have been handed over by 2011.

Mrs Bruce said the homes represented a fantastic leap forward in terms of build quality, appearance and energy efficiency, and praised Auldyn Constrruction, the design Team, led by McGarrigle and Jackson, and the Department of Local Government and the Environment, who've funded the public sector schemes in partnership with the local authority.

Ramsey MHKs Anne Craine and Allan Bell attended the ceremony.

Mr Bell said the homes are a far cry from what were there before: