A BUSINESSMAN has soared from the council estates of his hometown to the top of Britain's property ladder.

Michael Rothwell grew up in a 10th floor high-rise flat in the centre of Salford and held his first job in an East Manchester cash-and-carry.

But now the 39-year-old entrepreneur is living his dream - after he and his partner were crowned owners of Britain's best home.

The property enthusiast's £3.7m luxury pile, Carr Hill Castle, received more than 60 per cent of viewers' votes on the final of Five's series, I Own Britain's Best Home, which saw him battle it out with the owners of six other top residences.

Immaculate

The immaculately decorated grade II-listed 18th century castle is set in a 10-acre deer park near Halifax, just off the M62.

Michael, who was born in Hope Hospital and grew up in Pear Tree Court, opposite Salford Precinct, said winning the show was 'a dream come true'.

He said: "Growing up on a council estate, in what was a rough area at the time, I never pictured where I would be in the future. To be in this beautiful home is really incredible for me.

"I was never great academically and left school at 16. But just plugging away and working hard has got me to where I am today."

Charity

Michael and his partner Terry George have split their £25,000 winnings from the show between two charities - Cancer Research UK and memorial website Gonetoosoon. co.uk.

They bought the castle five years ago - a far cry from their first council house home which they bought for £7,500 some 20 years ago.

Michael, whose family moved from Salford to New Moston when he was a teenager, now runs an empire of bars, businesses and club nights with Terry, including 'Federation' in Manchester.

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