How TV helped us find a dream home in the sun

From the archive, first published Monday 13th Mar 2006.

A WORCESTER couple have found their dream holiday hideaway after starring in a television programme.

Nick Clarke and Manazza Hill were chosen from more than 20 other couples to appear on Channel 4's A Place In The Sun, which is due to be shown on Thursday.

Presenter Amanda Lamb

and her team helped the couple, of Ombersley Road, Northwick, find their dream retreat in Montenegro, which was part of Yugoslavia before the break-up of the country.

Miss Hill said they were shown four properties, but the team saved the best until last when they took them to see a two-bedroom apartment in the picturesque fishing village of Parast.

"It was amazing, a hideaway with mountains in the background," said the 36-year-old management accounts officer.

"I absolutely fell in love with it. The view of the mountains and the sea was just fantastic."

However, their journey to paradise did not run smooth.

Miss Hill said: "We did have a major argument on camera. The property was £20,000 over our budget of £100,000, but Nick didn't want to spend that much money."

Mr Clarke, a 37-year-old firefighter, was reluctant to stretch to the asking price, but his partner was determined that the dream property would be theirs.

"We had a little walk and talked about it, but at the end of it, he had decided that he wanted to put an offer in on another one of the properties," she said.

After much persuasion, Mr Clarke decided to stump up the extra cash and they offered the asking price, which was accepted.

Now they are looking forward to lots of holidays in the sun, but have fond memories of their search.

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