THE first phase of work, to improve 400 homes on a fire-hit estate, has begun.

Basildon Council is spending millions of pounds replacing timber cladding with cement on homes in Winstree, Loxford, Littlebury Green, Bockingham Green, Malyons, Bartlow End and Devlins, which are all in and around the Felmores estate.

The homes are also getting improved external insulation.

The wooden-clad homes have long been a concern for residents after a series of serious fires, including a blaze in November 2009, which saw 90 homes evacuated and ten destroyed in Bockingham Green.

The first homes being improved are in Winstree.

Phil Turner, Basildon Council’s deputy leader, said the council is committed to improve all of its home across the borough.

He said: “I have to say I think the improvements look superb and we are now looking at other work,for example on the bin shed areas, to really finish it off.”