Tony played a key part in the consultation process with council tenants who were involved in the selection of the style and colour of the doorsets for the Decent Homes programme in Sheffield. In the end, a choice of six different front doorsets and three back door specifications were agreed upon, with each door available in six different colours.

He said: "It was good to see the doors being made. We hear lots of good things from the other tenants once the doors have been fitted, as it makes their homes so much more affordable to run in terms of fuel costs and also much safer. My own flat is to be refurbished soon and I can't wait!"

The deal to supply 80,000 composite doors to Sheffield council tenants started back in 2006 and is one of Europe's largest single contracts for doors ever awarded. The doors are supplied via Kier Sheffield to specific homes, already complete with door numbers, hinges and handles. The main benefits of composite doorsets are that they require less maintenance, are more energy efficient and offer enhanced durability. As part of the Secured by Design scheme, the doorsets have enhanced security features making them the preferred choice of South Yorkshire Police. They also offer tenants significant savings on their heating bills as well as reducing drafts and external noises.

The contract with Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) Sheffield Homes, involves doors being manufactured here in Sheffield and supplied through Arnold Laver to Kier Sheffield.

Martin Crowther, General Manager for JELD-WEN, explains: "The contract with Sheffield Homes allowed us to build our composite door operation in Sheffield two years ago, providing further employment opportunities within the local area. Since then we have secured other major contracts within the public sector as we are becoming known for the quality of our doors and the back-up service we provide."

Phil Darlow, General Manager for Sharrow Industries, part of Kier Sheffield, said: "We are pleased with how the contract is running. It is a result of good partnership working to ensure that the doors can be installed with the minimum amount of disruption. It is great to have reached the 25,000 door stage and we look forward to continuing this successful partnership."