BEING able to decide the finishing touches to their new build home was a big bonus for Antony Goldsmith and his fiancee, Hannah Gabriel.

Especially as it was their first home together and on Walney which is Antony's home turf.

Although he had lived on Walney all his life Antony had to persuade Barrow-born Hannah it was the place to be, but they have never regretted it.

The house is in a quiet cul-de-sac and just five minutes walk from the beach.

On a sunny day it is like being on holiday, Antony said, and it has proved to be a wonderful location for the couple and his young son.

Describing the work on their home, he said: "We have been in the house for two years this month and love the layout.

"We got to choose the kitchen, bathrooms, tiles, carpets, and blinds that we wanted."

On the ground floor, the semi-detached house has a good-sized living room and kitchen/dining room, as well as a downstairs cloaks with a low level WC and wash basin. The first floor has two double bedrooms and a single with one of the doubles coming with a three-piece en-suite. There is also a separate three-piece family bathroom.

Outside is a back garden, including decking with a great sun aspect and off-road parking to the front of the property. The front is flagged with loose slate chippings.

Antony added: "The lounge is a big room which is great when people are around and it is a beautiful light room. It has doors leading to the kitchen diner and a handy under stairs store area."

The kitchen diner is a wonderful area for the family, but also for socialising. French doors from the dining room open out to the garden making it almost a sun room.

On a nice day with people round the couple can leave the double doors leading from the lounge to the dining room open as well as the French doors out to the garden and it becomes a combined inside/outside area for everyone to mingle.

The kitchen has been fitted with modern and attractive, base, wall and display units with 'T' bar stainless steel handles, display units and a grey speckle laminate work surface, stainless steel sink with mixer tap and inset drainer.

The fitted appliances are included in the sale - filter cooker hood with fan and light, four ring gas hob, single fan assisted oven with grill, light and timer and American-style stainless steel fridge freezer.

Antony said: "The garden is totally enclosed so really safe for young children; beyond the fence are mature shrubs and then fields so it is completely private and really sheltered.

"We get the sun from 6am until around 7pm and we have spent a lot of time sitting out there and had barbecues or drinks on the deck.

"There is a big shed in the garden which will also be staying, along with the garden furniture.

"The new owners could develop the loft into another bedroom or work space as it is a high pitched area."

As the couple have only lived in the house two years it still has eight years to run on its NHBC, which is like a warranty all new homes have. If anything major goes wrong with the house it is covered to be repaired free of charge. This stays with the house, not the person who owns it.

Antony and Hannah have a lot of wonderful memories and the house will always be special because it was their first home together, but they are ready to move on to start a new chapter together.

6 Wensum Lea, Barrow

Finished to high standard £164,950

Corrie and Co (01229) 825333