Houses deemed not decent enough to live in will be revamped thanks to a £253,000 grant from the Government and the Housing Corporation.

Hertsmere Borough Council will spend the money on 640 so-called non-decent' housing association homes occupied by vulnerable people, which at present either do not have a modern kitchen or bathroom, efficient heating or insulation or are in serious disrepair.

The money is part of £3.75 million grant the £3.5m remainder of which will be spent on affordable housing providing an additional 20 shared equity homes and a further 45 affordable rent homes in Hertsmere.

Andrew Weaver, head of housing and environmental health, said the work will begin this year.

"It is estimated there are approximately 640 homes occupied by vulnerable people that fail to meet the standard in the borough and we are preparing a strategy to spend the money in the most efficient and appropriate way," he said.

"This money will allow us to improve the condition of a large number of homes in the borough and improve the quality of life for many people currently living below decent standards."