THE Darwen housing market is showing its strongest signs of recovery in nearly two years, according to a national home builder.

Since reopening Belgrave Heights off Bolton Road in late April, McInerney Homes has sold three houses and six apartments at the development.

Work on the former Belgrave Mill was halted in 2008 because of the credit crunch with 44 of the 135 planned homes completed.

Sales manager Tracey Lowe said: "We're definitely seeing Darwen home hunters returning to the market and they're a sight for sore eyes.

"Our recent sales at Belgrave Heights are testament to the new confidence home buyers have in the town.

"Nationally, there are similar signs. April's figures show the first double-digit annual growth in UK house prices since June 2007, leaving prices 10.5 per cent higher than a year earlier.”