The three year Assisted Decoration Scheme will help tenants who are either senior citizens or have limited physical capacity.

Tenants who fill the criteria can apply to have a room decorated with either paint or wallpaper.

Council staff will help clear the room before carrying out preparation work such as stripping existing wallpaper or filling holes.

Various options for paints and wallpaper patterns will be provided, or tenants can supply their own materials with ceilings and woodwork also decorated.

Executive councillor for services for the community, George Paul, and operations manager Bruce Adamson recently visited a tenant from Bathgate, who had tradesman Graham Ford and apprentice Scott Baillie in the process of decorating her room through the scheme.

Councillor Paul said: “I’m delighted that we are investing close to £1 million over the next three years to improve the homes of older tenants and those unable to decorate for themselves.

“We would encourage any council tenants looking to brighten up a room and who do not have a suitable able-bodied person in their household to carry out the work to check if they are eligible.

“This scheme is being funded through the council’s Housing Revenue Account, with the money received in rent going back to help tenants who would benefit from extra support.”

@LoveWestLothian