A HORRABRIDGE mother and son have welcomed in the new year in a brand new home along with other families, thanks to a new development of affordable homes in Yelverton.

Sixteen new properties have been built for rent at Briar Tor in a £2-million scheme by affordable housing provider Tor Homes, with assistance of grant funding from the Homes and Community Agency and West Devon Borough Council.

The scheme provides nine two-bed houses, five three-bed houses and two one-bed flats.

Kirsty Jones and her son Ashton were one of the first families to move in. Kirsty, who previously lived with her family, said: 'It's absolutely lovely to have a home of our own, we love it.'

The new homes at Yelverton are part of 68 affordable homes which Tor Homes has recently built in West Devon, with a further 22 planned.

Michael Hourican, strategic development manager for Tor Homes said: 'Tor Homes is pleased to be building affordable homes for people in rural communities and will continue to work with West Devon Borough Council and Dartmoor National Park to provide more.'

Cllr Diana Moyse, chair of West Devon Borough Council future planning and housing committee, said: 'We are committed to meeting the housing needs in West Devon and are delighted that the scheme in Yelverton is helping keep a local young family in the area.'