CIVIC leaders at Tadcaster have welcomed news of Selby MP John Grogan's involvement in a bitter row over plans to sell the district's council houses to a housing association.

Yesterday's Evening Press revealed Mr Grogan's plans to write to the district's 3,400 tenants, asking for opinions on the proposed sell-off.

The MP said he planned to hold tenants' meetings over the next few months to discuss the options, saying residents still had a "real choice".

Tadcaster mayor and Conservative district councillor Don Bain-Mackay said he welcomed Mr Grogan's involvement.

He said the district council, which has a Conservative majority, had been forced into the proposals to sell the houses by Labour Government policy.

Liberal Democrat councillor Roderic Parker said he had "no problem" with Mr Grogan's involvement.

He said he had voted for the voluntary transfer proposals, which recommend selling off the council's homes to a housing association.

Updated: 11:11 Saturday, August 14, 2004