St Albans City and District Council has been awarded almost £3 million from central government for increasing the number of homes in the district, under the New Homes Bonus scheme.

The Member of Parliament for St Albans, Anne Main, has said she is "delighted" that the council has been awarded the money for developing its housing stock.

She said: "This allocation has allowed the council to turn empty houses into homes for a families. In the last year alone, 54 units have been brought back into use, with a total of 126 affordable homes.

"This is meeting the needs of local people, and shows that they are developing housing in a sensible manner.

"Nobody wants to see an empty property when families need roofs over their heads. It is a welcome thing that the Government is delivering the funds to reward councils in this way."

Council leader, Julian Daily said: "it shows that we are doing our bit for housing development and bringing empty property back into use - contrary to the impression that developers and others are trying to convey."