Four hundred homes in Alliance Avenue, Carew Street and part of De La Pole Avenue will get a facelift, as part of the £2m scheme, delivered by housing quango Gateway.

The scheme secures existing jobs and creates three new ones for Hull-based building contractor Hobson and Porter, which carried out an earlier phase of work. The vast majority of the workforce – 96 per cent – come from the Hull area.

The company's managing director, Dave Watson, said: "Employing local people and working on local projects is very important, particularly in this challenging time for the building industry. We are delighted to be involved in this scheme and are proud of our continued association with Gateway."

Coun Allen Healand, who holds the portfolio for housing, said: "I am delighted that Gateway is part of the local response and that it is demonstrating its commitment to local jobs in these difficult times for the building industry."

Over 275 properties have signed up to take part in the scheme which will see homes given a variety of external improvements including new boundary walls, gates and railings. Timber doors and windows will also be repaired.

Hobson and Porter recently completed over 370 refurbishments to homes on Plane Street, St George's Road and Sandringham Street.