A £10,000 grant has been handed to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council for a new anti-fraud initiative.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has promoted the council's scheme as an example of best practice to other social housing providers.

Its tenancy audit will check existing records to make sure that no council property is being misused or illegally sub-let.

Councillor Roger Trigg, executive member for housing, said: “This initiative is an excellent example of how we can all work creatively with our partners.

“This scheme will help to ensure that our limited housing stock is being used by those who need it most, not those illegally sub-letting for profit.”