The Runcorn-based housing association will use its own in-house team to carry out some of the planned repair work but will turn to three outside firms for the bulk of improvements to its 6,100 housing stock.

The housing association has completed its Decent Homes work and the new framework will cover maintenance of kitchens, bathrooms, boilers and roofing.

Around £3m has also been allocated for environmental works over the course of the framework.

The framework will also be open to several other registered landlords in the region and works for this could run to an extra £30m.

Contractors able to provide employers liability insurance of at least £10m have until 7 October to complete PQQs.

Enquiries to Tony Wylie at Halton Housing Trust [email protected] or through www.cirrustenders.co.uk