TENANTS of West Wiltshire Housing Society are going to be up to £16 a week better off thanks to recent rent reductions.

More than 1,200 households will see an improvement in their finances after rent was reduced to meet Government targets on April 3.

Chair of the West Wiltshire Housing Society John Alford said: "These 1,200 households were paying higher rents because of when they moved into one of our homes or because of their type of tenancy agreement."

Higher rents were set to meet the costs of buying and modernising the properties after the housing society took over properties from the council in 1996 and 2001.

Mr Alford added: "I have been working to make the rent fairer for all tenants and this move will make a very real difference to all those who are affected"

West Wiltshire tenant Gill Smitherman, who lives in Trowbridge, said: "I was really shocked when I received the letter.

"I have never had my rent go down before. It's good that they have made it fairer for everyone."