A TROWBRIDGE family got the best Christmas present they could possibly have when they moved into a new home at Southwick.

Beata Perry and her sons Michal,18, and Leon,15, moved into their new home in Southview.

Mrs Perry said: “It was a real emotional moment when I walked into my home for the first time and I was extremely happy when I was given the keys.

"The boys are very happy with their new home and have helped to sort everything out.”

They were among several families who moved into new homes at Southwick in time for Christmas as the latest part of a major council home build programme nears completion.

Wiltshire Council worked with housebuilders Stepnell Construction Ltd on the £5 million project to provide 50 affordable and shared ownership homes at Southview Park.

It is part of the wider build programme to provide 1,000 more council homes over the next 10 years in Wiltshire including housing at social rent levels.

The Southview Park scheme is due to complete early summer in 2020 providing much needed housing in the area.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for housing, went along to meet families who had moved in just in time for the festive period.

The council and the housebuilder had completed six one-bed flats and four three-bed houses ready for people to move into before Christmas.

Cllr Clewer said: “I am so pleased more people are able to move into these new houses and make them their home in time for Christmas. There are real benefits to having a safe, secure and affordable home.

"In the coming years we have committed to a major programme of works to provide more council homes to ensure more people can call a house a home and have the opportunity to remain in their communities.”

The first phase of the housing development recently won a regional award recognising the homes are built to a high quality and have sustainable features. The award also recognised the excellence in design and construction.

The designs and build quality are the same as the award-winning houses on Stage 1 which were completed in November 2018.

These achieved the Best Social or Affordable New Housing Development at the LABC Regional Building Excellence Awards for the West of England Region.