The number of overdue gas safety inspections and electrical condition reports at Babergh, including in the Hadleigh area, and neighbouring Mid Suffolk council, has been reduced by 78 in three weeks.

The figures from March 19 show 394 reports and inspections still outstanding.

A reduction by nine to the number of up-to-date gas inspections leaves 78 homes where this is still missing, while a cut by 69 to the number of electrical condition reports leaves 316 homes without one.

The councils were issued regulatory notices by the regulator of social housing in January due to failure to undertake such inspections and reports in time.

A council spokesperson said: "Our teams are continuing to work hard to clear all outstanding inspections as quickly as possible and the numbers continue to go in the right direction."

They also explained unavoidable delays occur when there is difficulty gaining entry to properties and the fact that more reports and inspections become required as others are completed.

Regulatory notices are given when actual or potential serious harm is caused to tenants because of a breach of consumer standard.

The councils referred themselves to the regulator last November, at which point there were 254 homes without an up-to-date gas safety inspection, 536 without an electrical condition report and 92 with overdue asbestos inspections.

By February 26, there were 87 homes missing gas safety inspections and 385 missing electrical condition reports, while all outstanding asbestos inspections had been completed.