Spotlight on Holmfirth

WHY: Last Of The Summer Wine territory, the town has become famous because of the TV series which typifies an age of innocence and simple pleasures - which is probably why it has become so desirable. Demand for the stone houses, which jumble around the centre and line steep streets up the hillside, is off the scale.

It is a busy town centre, with as many traditional shops to cater for the locals as gift shops for the tourist. There is a thriving market, central library, post office and good schools.

Prices here have risen dramatically over the last year. The redevelopment of Victoria Mill into apartments and town houses has been incredibly successful. An apartment, which sold off plan for around £130,000 is now £180,000 and there are only a couple of town houses left.

The outlying villages are more popular as they have the amenities of the town without the trouble of the tourists. Nearby Meltham and Honley offer better value.

WHO: Word is that lots of people who work at Manchester Airport have chosen the Yorkshire moors over the Cheshire plains simply because they can get more for their money. The opening of the M60 link means that if you work shifts and can avoid the rush hour you can get to the airport in 35 minutes, taking the A628 then linking up to the motorway. Most people raised here want to stay but are increasingly being pushed further east and away from the better commuter links. The new build and conversions are attracting new professionals and more, small-scale building is planned.

AGENT'S VIEW: Jenny Hargreaves from William H Brown said: "There has been a shift in the pattern of people buying in Holmfirth, with more prepared to put up with a longish commute to live here.

"New development like Victoria Mills has attracted a new generation of people who want modern homes in a traditional setting so it is catering for a new market. But first-time buyers find it hard here. The cheapest property we have is £75,000 but the banks won't lend on it because it has structural problems.

"After that you have to pay around £90,000 and look in the cheaper areas like Longley and Wooldale. Surrounding Holmfirth the villages of Upperthong and Netherthong and Hepworth are very desirable and prices there are incredibly strong.

"The main problem in the past two years has been getting houses to sell. Demand is still far outstripping supply and I don't see that changing much."

RESIDENT'S VIEW: Emily Roberts is a tax accountant who has lived in Netherthong for eight years. She said: "I think we got in just in time - the price of our house has probably doubled since we bought it four years ago. I have stopped work now to look after our baby but I used to commute from here to both Leeds and Manchester.

"Getting to Manchester was easy. I used to drive to Stalybridge and get the train and as long as you work near the centre it is fine. My husband still commutes each day. But getting to Leeds was a nightmare. We love it here, there is a wonderful community feel and Holmfirth is big enough to provide most of what you need."

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