The work will be carried out by council almo Ascham Homes, which aims to spend anywhere up to £9 and £25m a year over the course of the seven-year repair and maintenance framework.

Ascham will divide the work into two packages. One worth up to £16m a year covering general building and maintenance work, the other for mechanical and electrical repairs estimated to be worth up to £9m a year.

Firms will need to turnover at least £27m if they hope to prequalify for the M&E package and £48m a year for the building repairs job.

The deadline for expressions of interest is 31 August, ahead of invitations to tender on 15 September .

Acham is currently working with construction partners Apollo and Breyer, while Kier Building Maintenance carries out day-to-day repairs.

Its present gas and electrical partners are Birchcroft, Aston Heating and Purdy Contracts.

Further details are available from Ann Lucas at Ascham Homes, email: [email protected]