STORM conditions over the last week have done nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of a large number of home hunters, who have been camping out in Torpoint for the chance to buy at bargain prices.

They have been sleeping in tents, cars, campers and caravans, to be among the first in the queue as 22 three bedroomed flats and maisonettes, formerly owned by the MOD, go on sale this morning, from just £53,950 each.

They are being sold by Annington, owners of the former Married Quarters Estate, and are situated in Trevorder Road, with some of the maisonettes having spectacular views over St John's Lake. Spacious and modern, fully carpeted, heated and double glazed, with garages or parking spaces, they are a snip at the price.

Regional Sales Manager Janice Barnfather says that over 90 per cent of the applicants to buy have come from within Torpoint itself or in a ten mile radius of the area. The first 11 homes to be sold are allocated for the military who have first choice, to be followed by other applicants in strict rotation order of their registering. However, these people must stay on site to reserve their places in the queue.

Property

With housing prices still spiralling it is becoming increasingly difficult for a lot of people to get a foothold on the property ladder, especially in the Torpoint area where the availability of reasonably priced housing for sale has reached crisis point, with the same problem in the private rental market.

Annington have opened up one of the flats for the use of the 'campers' during the daytime to enable them to get out of the cold, but 18 year old Peter Turner prefers to stay in his camper van. He has been queuing on behalf of a local businessman since last Thursday who wants to buy a flat to rent out.

Dad in a million is Chris Smith of Torpoint who has been sleeping in the boot of his car for about ten days on behalf of his son Graham and girlfriend Nina Palmer. Graham is presently in the Persian Gulf serving on HMS Ocean, and sailed on the Sunday before the flats went up for sale the following day.

Chris says he is glad he is only 5' 8" because if he was any taller, his nights in the car boot would be murder. He is supported on shifts during the day by wife Carol, and Nina's mum and nan.

Cold winter nights have been exchanged for a week in Barcelona in April by Torpoint's Emma Greenly-Jones, who has used up all her holiday time to try and secure a home to share with her partner Adam Cowling. He is away in the Gulf on HMS Sheffield, but Emma is also lucky to have a family network taking it in turns on waiting shifts. Her mum Kim and Adam's parents Cliff and Vanessa, all think this is an opportunity too good to miss.

Dad

Young dad Philip Hughes has been in the queue since last Thursday. He presently lives with his partner Heather Collins and their 14 month old son Toby with Heather's parents in Torpoint. 'It would be wonderful to have our own home' he said, 'and we would like one of the maisonettes if possible'.

At £65,000 they are the most expensive but the view is the appeal which is making them the most popular choice. But it's not just the young who are eager to buy. Recently retired Bryn Jones, the former landlord of Antony's Ring 'O Bells pub, and his wife Melita, are originally from Port Talbot, but after 7 years at the pub say they want to stay in the area. 'We've made lots of friends and I don't want to give up playing for the darts team' he said.

Annington's are offering a £99 and move in deal which has added appeal to the sales, as it removes the five per cent deposit, often the major barrier to home ownership. The company also has on site a mortgage advisor and a solicitor with a fixed rate for transactions.

The successful applicants will have just 28 days to complete after which the contract would be terminated and the home re-offered .