SWINDON homeowners who have bought a house through a shared ownership scheme will receive Christmas hampers to mark the project's success.

The scheme is being run by Swindon Council and Sovereign Housing.

Designed to help people on modest incomes, more than 50 houses have been sold to local people, previously unable to get on the property ladder. The average income of someone buying a home through the scheme in Swindon was £14,500.

Buying a shared ownership means that half of the house is bought and the other half rented. Most of the properties are in Woodhouse Road, near the New College development.