'I was getting frantic'

Tara Turner is about to begin her first teaching job, at Christchurch Primary School in Brixton.

The 23-year-old had been desperately seeking a place to live, until she found the Barling Court flats.

And, on first sight she was more than impressed with the results - as well as the cost. "I was getting a bit frantic," said the Exeter University graduate. "I looked around and it was great - brand new, clean, in a nice area near the school.

"In London, prices are so high I was envisaging a struggle to find a decent place to live at an affordable price."