Queue forms for ex-MoD homes

Father of two James Evans is camping to move from Merseyside

House hunters eager to get on the property ladder are camping out to get their hands on 'bargain' homes.

The former Ministry of Defence houses at Hawarden in Flintshire are being sold for £104,950.

Nine would-be buyers have already turned up in tents and caravans, each hoping for one of 14 three bedroom homes on Annington Parade.

The houses, which are being sold under market value, go on sale on Friday, but the queue started forming last week.

Those first in line include a family from Liverpool and a pregnant woman and her grandmother.

Some who have pitched their tents and caravans at the site, which once housed staff from RAF Sealand, are first time buyers hoping to get a foot on the ladder

People have pitched up in caravans to make sure of a new home

Kerry Butt from nearby Sealand has been living in a camper van at the site for more than a week.

"We're looking to purchase two houses. One for me and my partner, and one for my gran and her partner," she said.

"They're very good value for money, especially with me being pregnant at the moment.

"It's quite a quiet area to live in and it's one of the only private estates going at a good price," she added.

The 23-year-old and her grandmother are fourth and fifth in the queue and are both guaranteed a new home.

James Evans, who is number two in the queue, has decided to move his family from Liverpool to get a reasonably priced family home.

"My brother's already got a house on the site. With house prices being as they are in Liverpool it was the perfect opportunity for us to get on the property ladder," the 34-year-old said.

"I want to give my children the type of chance I had, Not to bring them up in Liverpool.

"We've got our own business in Wallasey and the biggest incentive is for me to get my children out of Liverpool."

Mother-to-be Kerry Butt has camped for more than a week

The father-of two has been camping in a tent for two weeks in one of the gardens of the new homes.

"It's cold and windy, but it'll be worth it. It's not a prison camp we can go down to the shop and we have a rapport with the other campers.

"It's excellent value when you compare living in Liverpool. You're looking at a two bedroom terrace house for the same price."

Over the past two years, the site's owners Annington has sold 100 homes in Hawarden and nearby Sealand - with nearly two thirds going to first-time buyers

"The houses represent excellent value and they are good quality," said Annington spokesman Barry Williams.

"We never encourage people to come and camp, but if they do we make them as comfortable as we can.

"We have a facility house. We've provided coffee, they can use the kitchen and toilet and wash facilities."