House hunters have benefited from 45 empty homes coming back to the market over the last four years.

Sutton Council tracked down owners of properties unoccupied for more than six months, so work could begin in bringing them back into use.

In return for providing financial support to renovate the houses, the council is given the right to choose families on the housing register to occupy them.

The scheme has brought 45 homes back to the market since 2010, and another 35 will be ready before March next year.

The programme has received financial backing from the Greater London Authority.

A council spokesman said: "With the high demand for housing within the borough, families are quickly found for these properties. This is only a small part of the council’s work to support housing.

"We are currently working on a new housing strategy, and have plans to build new council homes for the first time since 1989.

"We are also in the advanced stages of setting up a housing company."

In some cases enforcement had to be made against owners so renovation work could go ahead.

Jayne McCoy, chairwoman of the Economy, Business and Housing Committee, said: "There is a shortage of housing across London and Sutton is no different. We are successfully working with private landlords to bring empty properties back into use.

"We are already seeing a reduction in the number of empty properties, and we want residents to help us identify more. 

"If you see or know of an empty property please report it to the council by calling 020 8770 5000."