The first residents have moved into ten new affordable homes in Witham.

Colne housing association built the two and three bedroom properties in Templars Green for local families.

Adam Ratcliffe and Eilish Finnigan were welcomed to their new home by Lady Patricia Newton, Braintree Council cabinent member for housing, and Colne chief executive Mark Powell Davies.

Adam said: “We were both living with our parents and we’re so pleased to have had the chance to move here.

“We’ve been waiting for a home for four years and haven’t been able to afford to buy anywhere.”

Eilish said: “Adam works locally so he can now walk to his work and I am a mobile hairdresser and there is plenty of space to store my equipment in our new flat.”