OPENSHAW has been named as the second top property hotspot in the country.

Terraced houses that five years ago were virtually worthless are now selling for around é80,000.

But, according to one property watch company, it is still a top place to invest.

Valuations website propertypriceadvice.co.uk sco-red 1,883 locations on their crime and unemployment rates, average incomes and amenities such as schools as hospitals as well as the rise in house prices. Top of the pile was Cheltenham, followed by Openshaw with Ormskirk in seventh place.

Mike Davies, manager with Edward Mellor estate agents has been selling properties in the area for years and has seen the area transform in the last four years and says it still has massive potential.

Increase

He said: "Four years ago you could buy a house here for é8,000 but that same house today will cost you é85,000. Not a bad increase.

"It began with the very successful facelift project initiated by the council which involved some demolition but a lot or improvements to how the streets actually looked. Garden walls were rebuilt and alleyways gated a people's attitudes started changing.

"The Commonwealth Games helped people realise just where the area is and how close to the city and it has gone on from there. But despite the rises it is still a good place to invest, especially for first timers looking to build up capital quickly because the same factors still apply. Houses here are still relatively affordable and there is still a lot of investment happening."

A new sports centre is being built here that has the backing of Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce who is based just down the road and the Ciba chemical plant scheduled for closure and the site cleared and redeveloped.

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