Tenants of Springs estate in Bury will soon decide whether to make history.

They will vote on whether they will take control of how their council houses are managed and become the first estate in the North West to do so, and only the second in the country.

New proposals would make the Springs Tenant Management Co-operative (Springs TMC) would become a self-financing tenant management company, giving them greater control over services and how they are delivered.

Residents will now also be responsible for delivering their own major capital works, such as kitchens, bathrooms and roofs.

Cllr Claire Cummins, cabinet member for housing services, said: "The proposal to become a self-financing management company is a signficant change, so it is vital that all tenants and leaseholders are allowed to vote on it.

"I urge them to read carefully all the information and the Q&A that they have been sent, and have their say by voting during the fortnight that the poll is open."

The TMW will also be in charge of gas servicing, administration of the 'right to buy' scheme and services to leasholders, which are all currently provided by Six Town Housing, and grounds maintenance services, currently provided by Bury Council.

Tenants are now being sent ballots for the voting to take place between November 29 to December 13 with the final result to be decalred on December 15 or 16.

The ballot is being conducted by Civica Election Services, under an independent returning officer.