MP Eleanor Laing has marked the start of work on the first council houses to be built in the district for 30 years.

The new council housing scheme, which will begin on sites in Roundhills and Harveyfields in Waltham Abbey, started last week and is expected to be completed by October 2015.

Epping Forest District Council’s home building project plans to erect 23 homes across the borough.

The Harveyfields development is set to be named 'John Scott Court' after the council's former chief housing and district health officer who retired after working for the authority for 29 years.

The start of the work, which will see nine one and two-bedroom flats on the site of garages, was marked with Mrs Laing using a digger to begin the demolition work.

The Epping Forest MP said: "I am delighted to celebrate the beginning of the work to build new council housing in Waltham Abbey.

"Epping Forest District Council has taken advantage of the Government's financial changes which have allowed them to invest in this much needed project for the first time in decades.

"I very much enjoyed participating in the work, driving a digger is great fun, and I'm looking forward to seeing the beautiful homes which are going to be built."