Spotlight on Poynton

WHERE: Ten miles south of the centre of Manchester in the countryside halfway between Stockport and Macclesfield.

WHY: Just south of expensive Wilmslow, and not quite so pricey.

Originally a mining village, it has retained the feel of an old-fashioned rural community and you can get out into the countryside with walks in Lyme Park and there's a marina on the Marple Canal. The quiet, respectable, solidly middle-class town centre and surrounding villages still thrive on the area's historic industry.

There is very little on offer at the lowest end of the market, with even bottom-rung properties well over the £100,000 mark. With a planning ban in force any schemes that are being built are snapped up immediately. Eight town houses by Hillcrest Homes sold off-plan for £259,000 each and there is big interest in a barn being converted into just seven properties in Towers Road.

WHO: Full of families who move there for the excellent local schools and the peace and quiet. There is an established community of residents who have been there for decades and never wanted to leave. It is estimated that 50 per cent of residents who move house will stay in the area.

Also, easy commuting into Manchester, Stockport and Macclesfield attracts successful professionals. Celebrity residents include Premiership footballers Nicky Butt and (until recently) Ruud Van Nistelrooy, along with Heartbeat's Tricia Penrose.

TRANSPORT: The commute by car to Manchester city centre takes around 30 minutes and it's about 15 from the airport (it is not in the flightpath). There are also direct rail links into Manchester.

No nearby motorways but the A523 provides a quick link to Stockport or Macclesfield.

SCHOOLS: Lower Park Primary has been identified as a Beacon school in the latest primary league tables and Poynton High gets 77 per cent of pupils through five or more GCSEs A-C.

AGENT'S VIEW: Liam Sammon, of Bridgfords Countrywide, said: "Prices here rose by 20 per cent last year and there is still no slowdown, with good properties selling in days. Poynton is a key area for families simply because the schools are so good and whether a property is in the right catchment area is crucial. Unfortunately, this means that first-time buyers who only 12-18 months ago could get a terraced cottage for around £100,000 now have to find closer to £150,000. Most are looking further afield to places like Bollington, Edgeley and Macclesfield. There is little new-build and there is a real shortage of housing here."

RESIDENT'S VIEW: Roy Mountford said: "I have lived here 76 years and, while there have been lots of changes, the atmosphere has stayed the same. It is just a friendly village. It was a mining village when I was a lad with just one school. Now there are eight schools and the mining has finished. The shops on Park Lane all used to be cottages. But there is a good spirit here. We bake cakes and have coffee mornings to raise money for the hospital and charities. It has never occurred to me to leave."