TOMORROW will be a ground-breaking day for Newport's prefabs tenants. Work on building the new bungalows to replace the "temporary" post war homes is due to begin this week.

Partnering contractors Lovell are moving on site to start the first phase of the modern development.

The first 72 "state of the art" homes will be built on Bishpool, Ridgeway and Stelvio estates. Small neighbourhoods of residents will be kept together.

A JCB will be used to ceremoniously cut the ground, preparing the way for the foundations of the first bungalow.

Joining Lindsay Al-Nuaimi, chairman of Newport Housing Trust, will be residents who first moved into their prefabs in the 1940s.

Prefab representation groups, local councillors and representatives from the National Assembly have all been invited to the ceremony to celebrate the start of construction. Last December Newport's prefab tenants took part in Wales' first transfer ballot and voted by 87.7% to transfer from the council to Newport Housing Trust.

Over the next four and a half years, 550 bungalows will be built to replace the existing prefabs.

Councillor Al-Nuaimi said tomorrow would be a happy and proud day for everyone who had been involved.

"From the start we promised to provide good quality, modern homes for the prefab residents. Our priority has been to involve the residents in all of the decisions so that we can build modern bungalows to meet their needs."

Phil Toms, director of Newport Housing Trust, said: "The prefabs have done a good job over the past 50 years - not bad for a building with an expected life of 15 years. "The new bungalows will be 'state of the art' properties with up-to-date technology, built to modern standards with the low maintenance costs associated with new houses."

Lovell's regional director Nick Kurobasa said an added benefit was the boost the project would give to local employment opportunities.

"A large number of sub-contractors have already been appointed and we shall also be offering training and career opportunities for local people at apprentice and degree levels."

The first residents are likely to move into the new bungalows this autumn.