A COUPLE have explained the reasons behind their house move after falling in love with their new home ‘at first sight’.

Tony Hunter and Amanda Buckley set out with an open mind as they began the hunt for a new house together.

But as soon as they viewed Redrow’s show homes at Daresbury Garden Village, the decision was made.

“Nothing was pre-decided in our minds, but as soon as we saw the show home, we fell in love with it and the area,” said Tony.

“To be honest, if we could have moved into that home straight away, we would have. There were no doubts about it – we wanted that house.”

It is the first property bought together for 62-year-old Tony, who works in project delivery for BT, and 56-year-old Amanda, whose job is in education recruitment.

The couple, who have three grown-up children from previous relationships, had been living in Tony’s 1930s semi in Stretford for the last eight years.

“I am moving towards retirement age, and I had always wanted a detached in a quieter location after living in a city all my life,” he continued.

Tony and Amanda outside their new Daresbury home

Tony and Amanda outside their new Daresbury home

“I am a keen photographer and love to walk, and Amanda is a cyclist, so somewhere more rural seemed ideal for both of us.”

The pair say Daresbury has proved to be the ideal location they thought it would be.

“It is not too far outside Manchester and not too close, and we have discovered lots of lovely walks which are perfect for us and our Cockapoo, Daisy,” Tony added.

“We are 10 minutes from the Bridgewater Canal and near to Daresbury Firs, which is a lovely woodland area.

“It is also close to lots of coastal areas like Wirral and north Wales, which as a landscape photographer is great.

“We like village life and have been to the Lewis Carroll Museum, but we also like community life in the garden village, and as some of the first residents, it is good to watch it grow.

“Future developments here include a shop and a coffee shop, so we will have amenities here as well as in Daresbury and Warrington, and that is something to look forward to.”

Daresbury Garden Village, off Delph Lane, will eventually feature 800 three, four, and five-bedroom homes across 120 acres, with open spaces and play areas.