A COUPLE who have retired from running fish and chip shops have become the first residents of what will become the largest housing estate in Hambleton district.

Charles and Joan Demaine moved into the first house completed on the Sowerby Gateway estate, near Thirsk, from Dalton.

Mr Demaine, who ran fish and chip shops in Helmsley and Stockton, said that after moving 11 times during their married life, they were confident the three-bedroom property would be their last home.

He said: “Even after we retired we continued to move around and looking back we were searching for the perfect home.

“When we first saw the board going up to advertise this development we registered our interest and we wanted this home in particular because it is close to open countryside and we knew it would allow us to indulge our love of walking. It’s nice being the first to live here and despite all the building work going on its surprisingly quiet.

“Even after a few weeks we know this is definitely the last move we will make because we know we have found the perfect home.”