Spotlight on Waterfoot

WHERE: Thirty miles north of Manchester on the road between Rawtenstall and Bacup.

WHY: Described by some as the land time forgot, Waterfoot is now a town on the brink of a new era. The boom that has seen house prices in nearby Rawtenstall rise by 25 per cent is rippling along the valley and being met at the other end by big public investment to regenerate Bacup with places like Waterfoot feeling the benefit.

Its centre may be congested and the ornate shopping arcade in desperate need of restoration but it still has a traditional feel and charm with some local businesses managing to survive.

But new money is already on its way in. An impressive stone building, formerly a bank, is being converted into a wine bar and restaurant and an old shoemaking headquarters has been transformed into apartments.

Waterfoot was once world famous for its slipper and shoe manufacturing and some companies remain in the mills along the main road.

On all sides is beautiful countryside with miles of paths, cycle ways and bridle paths.

WHO: Traditionally the residents were the workforce of the local shoe and slipper factories but in recent years there has been a steady influx of newcomers attracted by the relatively cheap housing. A new-build estate of houses close by the centre attracted families, as the town is in the catchment for the selective Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School. In the hills surrounding the town there are still many larger farm properties with land.

TRANSPORT: Two miles from the Edenfield by-pass that links to the Manchester bound M66 or the Blackburn bound M65. There is no train station nearby but the X43 bus service to Manchester runs every 20mins and the journey into the city is 45 mins. Another alternative is a drive to Bury 20 mins away to link up with Metrolink.

SCHOOLS: Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar gets 99 per cent of pupils through 5 or more GCSEs A-C and All Saints RC High School gets 45 per cent through.

AGENT: Agent Nicholas Clegg said: "Rossendale has seen a surge in investment and house prices and that is starting to spread out to places like Waterfoot and Stacksteads.

In the past you could pick up a house little more than a family car but not any more. Prices have gone up in line with everywhere else, so terraces are now £80-90,000. But it still offers great value for money and there is still room for more growth. About 75 per cent of buyers are from outside the area. I am one of them. I was looking around the Norden area but prices were too high and I have just bought a house with some land in Waterfoot because it offers great value for money."

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