VILLAGE life was a big attraction for John Wright when he was house hunting more than 27 years ago. He then met and married his wife, Julie, seven years later and, as they told SUSAN GOODSON, they have both loved living in their home since then

SURROUNDED by rich green countryside, a tarn across the road and nestled amongst a welcoming community - John Wright could not have wanted for a better location when he bought his house all those years ago.

Originally from Millom, John Wright decided to relocate and came across a superb semi-detached home in the village of Leece.

The house - Rockmount, Leece - has three bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen/diner, conservatory, family bathroom and a fully-boarded loft. Outside to the back is a beautiful garden with a summer house and to the front is an established garden with paths and an open porch. There is also a detached stone garage.

Although the house was in a good condition when John moved in, he has still had quite a lot of work carried out over the years.

He explained: Here at Leece there is a really lovely community and the village life has really appealed to us.

“When I first bought the house it was by no means run down but over time we have redecorated every room.

“I was first taken by the size of the house and the garden at the back.

“It has a summer house at the top and it has views of Morecambe Bay. We have loved sitting out there in the evenings.”

The garden itself has mature plants, is landscaped and also has a built-in barbecue.

But it is inside that this spacious house has also proved to be a great family home.

John said: “It has all modern facilities, but we have kept many of the original features and only replaced them if they needed to be.

“When I first took on the house I stripped all the wood back to its original state because it had been stained really dark. Then we restained it but in a much lighter colour.

“We have kept the original fireplace but the tiled surround has been replaced. We have tried to retain the original features in keeping with the character of the house.

“It did involve a lot of hard work but it was a project we enjoyed and once you start you can’t stop until it's complete.

“We love our big lounge which has a diamond leaded bay window at the front.”

However, the central feature of the room is the Edwardian style, oak surround fire.

There is also a recess for an open fire. Rockmount had a drafty conservatory when John first bought it, so it was been replaced.

It has been a great place to spend time in especially as it faces out to the garden. It has a dwarf wall and double glazed windows.

Twin doors in the conservatory lead into the kitchen/diner with modern units with granite pattern (grey and cream shade) work surface. There is also a ceramic single sink with antique brass-style mixer tap.

The fitted appliances are included in the sale of the house.

The floor of the kitchen are eye-catching and tasteful, period red quarry tiles with border print.

A beautiful staircase in pine leads from the hall to the first floor landing where there is access to the insulated loft.

All three bedrooms are a good size, with two being large, John added. The first bedroom looks out over the garden and open fields while the second faces the front and has a nice view across the fields.

The third bedroom also looks out over the front and has its own attractive view.

When it comes to the family bathroom, Julie said: “We discovered that the original roll top cast bath with its original claw and ball feet had been blocked off behind panels.

“We pulled those out and had the bath re-enameled.”

There is also a thermostatic shower with fixed waterfall head, low level WC, wash hand basin and pedestal. The tiles are Laura Ashley in an ivory shade/crackle effect with mosaic border.

John and Julie both agree this is a wonderful family home and will be sad to leave it behind, but now they want to move closer to family.

The house - Rockmount, Leece - is on the market with Corrie and Co Estate Agents and has been reduced from £259,950 to £249,950.

For further details or to arrange a viewing please call the agent on 01229 825333 or call into the Barrow office at 68-70 Duke Street.