More council tenants in Tamworth are now handy with a hammer, tasty at tiling and skilful with a spanner after going along to a DIY demonstration day.

More than 50 tenants went along to the event at the Assembly Rooms last week, where representatives from repairs contractor Morrison and Tamworth Borough Council staff were on hand to show them how to carry out minor repairs around their homes.

Tenants were shown a wide range of skills, including sealing baths and sinks, unblocking gullies and wastepipes, identifying stopcocks and replacing plug chains on sinks and baths.

Staff were also available to talk to tenants about any concerns they had about their homes and there was a recycling officer to give tips and advice on reducing waste.

Feedback from people attending the demonstration day was very positive, with tenants commenting that they found it very interesting, useful and informative. Many of those who visited asked that the council’s Tenant Participation Team hold another demonstration event later in the year.

Cllr Mary Oates, Cabinet member for Quality of Life, said: “I went along to the demonstration day and thought it was a very useful, helpful and informative event. Tenants were given the skills they need to perform small repairs around their own homes, which can help reduce the cost of repairs and save money for the taxpayers of Tamworth.”