Pictured above: The Old Gatehouse in Ludlow, sold recently by Nock Deighton with asking price of £695,000

A local firm of leading property specialists is backing a national newspaper's claim that Ludlow is one of the UK's prime locations for house hunters.

Shropshire-based Nock Deighton, which has an office in the picturesque market town, said it was no surprise to see Ludlow recently named by the Daily Telegraph as one of the country's 20 'Hot Spots for a Happy Retirement', alongside other notable locations such as Bath, Chichester and the Isle of Skye.

The report highlighted the town's rich architectural history - Ludlow is home to more than 500 listed buildings, a medieval castle and the largest Parish church in Shropshire, St Laurence Church - and also praised its annual Food and Drink Festival, Britain's first such event and one that is widely recognised as one of the best in Europe. It also took into account local transport links, the availability of attractive but affordable properties, and whether there was a thriving and active local community.

Michael Evans, Managing Director for Nock Deighton, commented: "This report will come as no surprise to anyone who has lived in, or ever visited, Ludlow.  As someone who has had strong roots in the town for many years, I know what a welcoming and friendly community it is to live in.

"Many of our buyers are attracted to the town from much further afield than Shropshire, including London and the Home Counties, the West Midlands, and the North West of England, and they are all taken aback by the quality of life and beautiful scenery on offer. It's no wonder the renowned author John Betjeman was said to have once described Ludlow as 'the most perfect historic town in England'," Michael Evans concluded.

Formed in 1831, Nock Deighton is one of the Midlands' most well-established and respected firms of estate agents, lettings agents, chartered surveyors, block management agents, and auctioneers. The company stands at the forefront of the modern property sector by embracing up-to-the-minute technology and industry best practice, and has a firm focus on achieving the very best results through a full range of specialist property-related services and dedicated staff.