The housing association that will control council homes in north Oxfordshire from March is promising immediate action on modernisation and repairs.

Nick Westington, the newly-appointed chief executive of Charter Community Housing, said a programme to bring the 4,000 former Cherwell District Council properties up to date would begin the day it took control in March.

He promised that tenants without central heating, double glazing and modern kitchens or bathrooms would be given priority.

Mr Westington said: "We have been talking to lenders about finance for our 10-year plan.

"We are looking to use Barclays for a loan that will enable us to pay Cherwell District Council for the houses and start our £43m repair and improvement programme."

He added: "We have already been asking tenants what they want and we are putting contracts into place with companies."

The association, an independent, non-profitmaking association, is taking over the houses after tenants voted last July for the transfer.

In a long-running campaign, they were told the association could use more rent money for repairs and modernisation than the council could.

Sixty per cent of tenants who took part in the vote, which attracted a 73 per cent turnout, wanted the transfer.

Kate Hindle, Cherwell Council's former head of housing, is the association's new director of operations. She said: "Every tenant who wants it will have central heating and double glazing within three years."