Getting people onto the property ladder despite the current economic gloom is the aim of a major event due to be held at Plymouth's Guildhall this week.

The two-day event, which will be held on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 October, is designed to provide a gateway to affordable housing for would-be buyers who may feel home ownership is beyond their reach.

The City Council is staging the Shared Ownership Event with its local housing association partners and Home2Own - the government appointed HomeBuy agent for the South West peninsula.

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Experts will be on hand to explain how shared ownership works and who is eligible to apply for a range of schemes designed to help people on low incomes get a foothold in the property market.

There will also be information about the types of flats and houses which will become available under shared ownership schemes over the next few months.

Councillor Peter Brookshaw, Cabinet member for Housing, said: "I urge anyone who thinks buying their own home is just an impossible dream to think again and come along to this event.

"The thought of buying a home might seem terrifying at the moment with property prices falling and mortgages hard to come by. But help is at hand and this event is a perfect opportunity for people to find out whether they could and should be taking advantage of one of these government-funded HomeBuy schemes."

(CD/JM)