A social housing scheme by Bradford Council has been given a healthy cash injection, reports The Telegraph and Argus.

The expansion of the project is thanks to an extra £1.4 million from the Homes and Communities, allowing a total of 50 homes to be built at Beech Grove, Undercliffe.

The overall cost of the scheme now hits £7.5 million, with the council contributing half of the funds.

According to Build.co.uk, local employment and training opportunities - which could include social housing jobs - have received a boost in the wake of the cash injection in an effort to "tackle worklessness."

Preparatory work has already begun on the site, which was set to include 31 affordable homes. An extra 19 three, four and five-bedroom properties will now be built at the same time. Estimates suggest they'll be completed by May 2012.

Councillor the Reverend Paul Flowers, the council's executive member for culture, planning and housing, hailed the additional funding: "There is a big demand for affordable housing in the district so this additional funding is great news.

"The Beech Grove scheme will include a range of high-quality homes and I'm sure families seeking social housing locally will welcome its expansion. As well as the extra 19 homes this creates, the added apprenticeship and training opportunities will further increase the benefits of the scheme," he added.