Around 150 new jobs will be created in Sandwell under the latest phase of a £250 million project to improve thousands of homes in the borough.

The jobs will be created by construction firms Thomas Vale and Vinci Facilities.

The companies have each been awarded a £26m contract to carry out the work by Sandwell Homes.

A total of 5,000 homes will be improved during the latest phase of the Decent Homes programme.

Thomas Vale, which has offices in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Kidderminster, and Stafford, today said the contract would create up to 150 new jobs directly in Sandwell, as well as safeguarding 200 existing jobs with the company across the Midlands.

Thomas Vale spokesman Amy Hyde said: “They will all be full-time jobs. Our target would be to provide 100 per cent of new jobs within Sandwell.”

Vinci Facilities, which is based in Watford, was unable to provide details of any new jobs created by the deal.

The work will be completed in March 2013.

Investment director for Sandwell Homes, John Clayton, said: “This is great news for the borough as it will mean both improved housing conditions and the creation of jobs.”

Work under the scheme will include wiring, central heating, window installation, roofing and door replacement and kitchen and bathroom refurbishments.