A �39m contract to carry out housing repairs and maintenance work to Norwich's council house stock will be awarded to Norse Commercial Services Limited.

The city council's cabinet has approved the intention to award the five-year deal, due to start next April, to the company.

There has to be a minimum 10-day period before the contract can be signed, to allow unsuccessful suppliers a chance to receive feedback.

Councillor Alan Waters, deputy leader of the council, said: 'The award of this very important contract is the culmination of more than six months hard work by council officers, the cross party contracts working party and tenant and leaseholder representatives.'

He added they wanted a high quality and cost effective service.