A couple who opted to sell their house through a part-exchange scheme say it took the hassle out of moving.

Emma and Matthew Anderson completed on a three-bedroom, three-storey home at the new Hailey Gardens development in Witney this month.

Marketing services manager Mrs Anderson said: “We have recently become parents and want to upsize to a larger family home.”

The couple, who have a 14-month-old daughter Isla, had lived in Witney for eight years and wanted to stay in the town.

Ms Anderson added: “We love Witney. It is a relatively small market town but has had many improvements over the years – there is a new shopping centre and good schools, which is obviously of great importance to us now.

“From my perspective it takes away the stress of having to put our home on the market and seeing if we get interest and offers. When we have moved house in the past, it was just so stressful so the idea of not having to go through that again was very appealing.”

Under the part-exchange scheme, developer Antler Homes obtains three independent valuations before making an offer on a property within seven days.

Ms Anderson pointed out: “We are aware that many sales fall through and part exchange has given us the confidence that this is not going to happen to us, which is particularly important with a young child.”

Tim Foreman, of Antler Homes, said: “Part exchange has proved to be very popular with buyers who are short on time and want peace of mind that their move is guaranteed.”

Hailey Gardens is a development of seven three-bedroom, three storey-homes in Hailey Road that include custom-built kitchens fitted with stainless steel appliances, French doors from the living room to the garden and views of surrounding farmland.

Prices start at £299,950. The show home is open to view at weekends. For more information call agents Thomas Merrifield on 01993 772000 or visit antlerhomes.co.uk