A MAN picked up the keys to his new home within hours of visiting an open day run by a provider of affordable housing.

Geoff Oudnie of Meadowfield, near Durham, was searching online for a home in Brandon when the two-bedroom flat from County Durham Housing Group caught his eye.

Thanks to an open day at Vicarage Flats, he was able to take a look at the property and talk to housing officers from the group at the same time.

Mr Oudnie turned up at the event just after noon, and by 3pm he had the keys to his new home and was making preparations to move in. He knows the area well and described the flat as ‘perfect’.

County Durham Housing Group lettings team leader, Julie Duckling, said: “Lots of people think getting an affordable home has to take a long time. That’s quite often not the case at all. It was great to be able to help Geoff move into his new flat so quickly.

“The open day was a great chance for anyone to take a look at what we have available immediately and speak to our team about how we can help. Geoff’s case is the perfect example of just how quick the process can be.

“And because we’re a social landlord, we can offer very affordable rent, with no need for a bond.

"We provide support to help people move in and offer much more security than is available in the private sector.”

For more information on available properties visit www.countydurhamhousing.co.uk/properties or contact 0800 083 0333 or emailing lettingswest@cdhg.co.uk.