A WOMAN has won a victory for hundreds in Bury who couldn't afford to buy the freehold on their houses.

Thanks to single mum Mrs Mary Nagle, homeowners will be able to pay the council by instalments.

Now Mrs Nagle (38) of Kensington Drive, Bury, has thanked the Bury Times for publicising her plight.

The council is trying to sell off 1,200 freeholds to raise money towards anticipated multi-million pound cuts.

Mrs Nagle took her case directly to councillors after being told that buying the freehold on her semi would cost more than £700.

The freehold itself would only cost £225, but the price goes up three-fold once legal and valuation costs are added.

Following her protest, councillors have accepted that some people are worried about their freeholds being sold to a third party because they cannot afford to buy them in one lump sum.

Mrs Nagle said: "It's still a heck of a lot of money to find, but I'm very pleased with the outcome. It can be disheartening when you make a big fuss and get nowhere."

Council leader Derek Boden said: "We have decided that if individuals or families wish to purchase their freehold they can do so by a system of monthly payments.

"We hope this will encourage more people to consider taking up the option of acquiring the freehold of their own homes."

Anyone interested in buying their freeholds should telephone 253 7087 (payments), or 253 5987 (estates).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.