A COUPLE have stayed close to home to take their first step on the property ladder in Aylsham.

Hannah Beare, 27, from Taverham and Paul Kerrison, 24, from Aylsham, didn't think they would be able to buy a home in the area where they grew up, but they are settling into their two bedroom home at Bure Meadows, the David Wilson Homes development on Sir Williams Lane.

They took advantage of a scheme through which homes are available at a discounted price to people with a connection to the area as long as they fulfil specific criteria.

Hannah said: 'Paul grew up in Aylsham and his family are from Aylsham. When I met Paul I fell in love with the town too. We chose Bure Meadows because of the discount unit scheme; it was an affordable way we could buy a house in the area.'

Hannah, a recruitment consultant, and Paul, a calibration technician, were living with parents while they saved for a home and they didn't expect to be able to afford a property in Aylsham or to make their move so soon.

Hannah said: 'The discount unit scheme meant we could buy somewhere sooner than we thought, it also meant we could afford to live in Aylsham with our budget. It is a fantastic scheme and worked brilliantly for us as first time buyers.'

The couple have also enjoyed the benefits of moving to a brand new property.

Hannah said: 'It's great to have everything new and it meant we weren't part of a chain as we were first time buyers. We've loved it since we moved in. It is so lovely living in our first home together and in such a lovely area, the town is so close and it is a short drive to the coast.'

The couple attended the official launch of Bure Meadows last November where they met Keith Simpson, MP for Broadland and Cllr Ken Leggett, Chairman of Broadland District Council and chatted to them about the scheme.

Jason Colmer, Sales Director for David Wilson Homes Eastern Counties, said: 'I'm delighted to hear Hannah and Paul are settling into their new home at Bure Meadows. They are a perfect example of the success of the discount unit scheme. Not only does the scheme benefit buyers looking to stay in their local area, but it also gives people the opportunity to step onto the property ladder quicker than they expected.'

More of the discounted homes will be available to buy in 2017. Buyers at Bure Meadows can also take advantage of Help to Buy. Through the scheme people need just a five per cent deposit and the government will lend them 20 per cent of the value of the property leaving them with a 75 per cent mortgage.

Two, three and four bedroom homes are available to buy now at Bure Meadows and prices start from £179,995. For further details please call the sales information line on 0844 8113888. The line is open Monday to Friday 8am-9pm and Saturday to Sunday 8am-8pm. Alternatively, please visit www.dwh.co.uk for more information.

David Wilson Homes Eastern Counties has been awarded the maximum five-star official rating from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) for the sixth year in a row. The news was announced after more than 20,000 new homebuyers across the country took part in this year's HBF customer satisfaction survey.