'We've always been cut off... but it was part of the charm'

HOUSING PLANS THREATEN VILLAGE WAY OF LIFE

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Keith and Leanne Jones, both in their early 70s, moved out to Lydiate 38 years ago to raise a family, and to give their children something they didn’t have - lots of open spaces.

They are retired now and spend a lot of their time looking after their grandkids, and say they fell in love with the village at first sight.

Keith said they were not fazed by the lack of transport links or services, because they felt the green spaces and close community all made up for it.

With the prospect of a huge housing development coming to the area, the couple are worried about its impact on village life and the people who live there, Keith said: “We're wary when we take our grandkids to St Thomas school because the roads are so busy and backed up already.

“There’s no reliable bus services, so everyone drives. At peak times it’s so, so busy now and basically jammed.

“The thought of adding hundreds more cars on to those roads is just ridiculous and can't possibly work.

“It’s the safety issues that worry us and we're honestly scared to cross the roads.”

Helen Jones, 70, was born in Lydiate in 1955 and said it was a dream to grow up in the village and talks fondly about roaming the open fields, and how much the place means to her.