The Rt Rev Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis was able to get a first hand view of the new development at Orchard Grove in Darwen.

The Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa was invited by Canon Dr Shannon Ledbetter to get a close look at the Twin Valley Homes development during National Shared Ownership week.

And while he was there, he helped to lay a few bricks as the third stage of the development begins to take shape.

The visit was on behalf of the Habitat for Humanity organisation which is looking to extend its programme into the Blackburn with Darwen area.

Dr Ledbetter said: “Habitat for Humanity helps to provide an alternative route onto the property ladder for families who could not ordinarily afford a home of their own.

“In offering his support to the homes being built at Orchard Grove, Bishop Mouneer has helped to promote the charity’s model to potentially provide homes in Blackburn with Darwen whose Council is currently looking at building opportunities to bring Habitat for Humanity into the area.

“In Bishop Mouneer's home city of Cairo, Habitat for Humanity is building homes for Christians who are living in garbage dumps. We are all extremely pleased to have his support because building communities and lives also builds reconciliation and peace.”

Shared ownership is the perfect way for people to get onto the property ladder.

As one of the borough’s biggest developers, Twin Valley Homes they are offering a range of shared ownership options for those struggling to save the massive deposits needed for some mortgages or for the over 55s looking to downsize.

A range of share options and incentives are available and each purchaser will benefit from a personal meeting and affordability assessment to ensure the chosen product is tailored to their needs and circumstances.

All the properties offered through the My Front Door scheme are modern, energy efficient and are designed to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Notes to editors:

Together Housing Group                www.togetherhousing.co.uk

The Together Housing Group was formed on 1st April 2011, following the coming together of three well established housing groups;

• Trans-Pennine Housing: Pennine Housing 2000 in Calderdale and Sheffield & Green Vale Homes in Pennine Lancashire
• Chevin Housing: Chevin Housing Association, Harewood Housing Society, and Synergy Housing Solutions operating in the Yorkshire and Humber regions
• Prospect Homes: Twin Valley Homes & Housing Pendle, both in Pennine Lancashire.

Managing over 35,000 homes affecting over 50,000 people’s lives and employing over 1,250 staff, the Group is a leading provider of quality, affordable and modern homes for rent, across the North of England.

Whilst each partner company will retain local identity for local communities, the Group will use its shared skills and expertise to offer better services and value to its customers to achieve their vision – ‘Making a Better Future Together.’