CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride took a visit to Hillside Drive, to the North East of Okehampton in an area of new development that is providing eleven affordable homes.

The homes, which were officially opened last month, consist of four three-bedroom houses, five two-bedroom houses (for rent) and two three-bedroom houses (for shared ownership).

All eleven will be let to local people and the South Western Housing Society, who aquired the homes, already have tenants looking to move in.

Mr Stride said: 'Affordable housing for local people is one of the most important issues in my constituency given that wages are relatively low and house prices so high. It was a most enjoyable looking around the new homes in Hillside Drive today and I commend South West Housing Society on this great new development.'

Okehampton's County Councillor Kevin Ball said: 'Okehampton needs more affordable homes so that families who have grown up here are not priced out of the local market and I welcome these new properties.'