HOLSWORTHY?Community Property Trust is urging the town's people to complete and send back their Holsworthy Housing Needs Survey.

It is a survey which has been issued to every household in the parish asking whether they have an existing or future housing need. This allows a careful assessment of the needs of these people — for example the size of the housing needed, and whether they can buy in the open market, need shared ownership/equity housing or whether they need a low rent home.

A spokesperson for Torridge District Council said: "Since 2006 there have been local housing surveys carried out in 30 rural parishes. It would be a wasteful duplication of effort to undertake a district wide survey in these areas and therefore Torridge are looking to undertake surveys in the larger settlements to fill in the gaps. Holsworthy is the first of the larger settlements to be prioritised."

Residents of Holsworthy have until December 17 to complete and return their housing questionnaires. Pam Johns, Chair of Homes for Holsworthy (Holsworthy Community Property Trust), is concerned that questionnaires may be overlooked as everyone is so busy preparing for Christmas.

Pam said: "This is an opportunity to make Torridge District Council aware of how many local people may be able to buy their own home with a bit of help, such as an equity mortgage.

"I urge everyone in Holsworthy, especially if they themselves or someone they know is trying to buy a home, to take just a few minutes to fill in their housing questionnaire and make their voice count in providing homes which local people can afford."