FORMER tenants taking legal action against Worcester City Council after alleging they were sold homes that could fall apart may be offered repairs.

The council was sued last year by Mary Rushton, who bought her home in Ronkswood under the Right to Buy scheme 10 years ago.

She was awarded more than £25,000 in damages at Worcester County Court after complaining the council had sold her a defective home.

Mrs Rushton accused officers of failing to tell her the house's stitch-joints were made of high-alumina cement, which was liable to dry out and crumble.

Her house in Durham Road was built more than 50 years ago. At the time, planners did not realise the quick-drying cement would eventually turn to dust.

At the County Court, the authority insisted its knowledge of the property was based on a 1984 report, which only warned of the presence of chlorides and the effect of carbonisation. Both flaws were revealed when the sale went ahead.

It challenged the verdict, but earlier this year the Court of Appeal upheld Mrs Rushton's claim. However, the judges reduced the amount by nearly £9,000.

The council has confirmed that six other ex-tenants in Ronkswood have lodged similar complaints.

Sue Jackson, the council's head of housing, said the authority hoped to avoid another court clash.

"The money that was paid to Mrs Rushton came out of the housing revenue account, which is meant for tenants," she said.

"It seems unfair. We're hoping there won't be any more claims and are looking to reach a solution with the six others.

"They all live in semi-detached former Orlit houses, next to council homes. It's at a very early stage, but we may be able to find a solution by offering some people repairs."

Philip Betts, the council's director of corporate services, said the authority was "in correspondence" with ex-tenants' solicitors and he could not give further details.

Mrs Rushton declined to be interviewed.