A new group looking after the interests of private house owners will be launched by Swindon Borough Council on Wednesday, November 22.

The first meeting of the Private Sector Accommoda-tion Group will take place at 10am in the Civic Offices and those with an interest in private rented accommodation, like private landlords and letting agents, are welcome.

Hoping to reduce the number of empty properties in the private sector, Coun Michael Barnes (Lab, Western), cabinet member for sustainable communities, said: "Raising standards of residential accommodation in Swindon's private rented stock will benefit both landlords and tenants, improve the condition of the housing stock and continue to bring empty properties into use."

Anyone interested can call council officer Mike Ash on Swindon 464410 or empty homes officer Sadhu Chahal on Swindon 464412.