REPAIRS costing more than £36 million will be needed by council homes in Swindon over the next five years.

That is the verdict of a new report into the state and future of the borough's 11,500 council homes.

Roofing, electrics, bathroom fittings and heating are among the areas where work is needed.

The figures are part of the authority's newly-released Housing Repairs and Improvements Development Plan, which covers the period until 2006.

As part of the preparation of the plan, the council, which is desperately trying to balance its budget, appointed consultants Hunter and Partners to assess the condition of housing stock and prepare a 30-year financial forecast to help with future housing management.

The five year plan says: "The 30 year survey found that catch-up repairs of over £36 million are required in years one to five.

"The largest sums are required for kitchen units, heating and hot water systems, electrics, sanitary ware and roof works, including rainwater systems."

Council housing stock in Swindon ranges from post-war terraces to the David Murray John Tower.

Weekly rents range from £38 for a one-bedroomed bungalow to £52 for a four-bedroomed house.

Two-bedroomed flats are available at £42 per week.

The implications of the £36 million repair bill were discussed last night by the council's housing, social services and inclusion commission.

The chairman, Coun Steve Wakefield (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms), said he was hopeful that the Government would help to meet the cost.

He added: "The figure is not really a surprise, because for the last three or four years we have been hearing figures of £19 billion and £20 billion as the cost of repairing council housing stock nationwide.

"It is a fact that we know about and that we have got to do something about.

"We have just got to get more money.

"I think money is needed from central Government."

Whitehall currently adds money for housing stock repairs to Swindon's budget.