Dozens of new homes are to be built in Croydon after the council was given £5.5 million for nine developments across the borough.

The windfall from the Department of Communities and Local Government will help pay for 54 new homes across the borough.

Croydon was one of 47 councils across the country to receive a share of £127million funding to help build new homes.

Croydon Council has pledged to match fund the award, meaning that more than £10 million will be spent on the housing projects.

The Department for Communities and Local Government said the money, along with plans to give councils greater control of their housing finances and waiting lists, means councils will be better placed to meet housing needs.

The nine schemes in the housing bid include Ashburton, where £505,000 will be spent on five new homes. Fieldway, where £1,925,000 will be spent on 18 homes and West Thornton, where £830,000 will be spent on eight homes.