DECORATING her family Christmas tree this year will be specially exciting for Dena Trevett who will be doing so in her newly bought council home.

She has lived at the terrace home on Warneage Green for over 20 years and thanks to the Right to Buy scheme she has finally been able to take ownership of it.

To mark the occasion and the fact the Government has helped over 10,000 people take their first step on the property ladder using the Right to Buy scheme, Housing Minister Kris Hopkins visited her home.

The 55-year-old said she had always wanted to buy the home where her sons, Alan, 31, and Michael, 33, had grown up. And this year, for a bargain of £55,000, she was able to make that dream a reality.

“It will mean I have something to leave behind after I’m gone.” said Dena, who works as a strawberry picker in the summer months. “My parents passed away last year and left me some money.”

She said her first plans for the house are to refit the kitchen, put in French doors and carry out a lot of painting and decorating.

Mr Hopkins, whose parents lived in a council home, said he had enjoyed meeting Dena and visiting Wanborough which he thought was a lovely village.

“Generally the housing market has been picking up,” said Mr Hopkins.

“The scheme is making profits and it is making a significant contribution to the economy.

“I am pleased to hear, thanks to the reinvigorated Right to Buy, Dena is now able to buy the home she’s lived in and loved for over 20 years.

“I would urge anyone looking to follow Dena’s lead and take up their Right to Buy to either contact Swindon Council or visit our website to find out more.”

In Swindon there are around 15,000 on the housing waiting list. Mr Hopkins said the government’s ambition is to build a new council home for every one sold.

“The right to buy does not add to the housing waiting list,” said Mr Hopkins.

“The housing issue will be helped by the 165,000 houses the Government plans to build – we have already delivered 85,000 of those.”

Swindon tenants are leading the way in taking up the new opportunity to buy.

Over the last year, 40 households took up the Right to Buy while there have been 13 sales in the first quarter of this year alone. Residents are offered discounts of up to £75,000 to purchase their home.

Anyone interested in taking up the Right To Buy scheme should contact Swindon Council on 01793 445500.