'We live in town where house prices are soaring - we're never leaving'

Residents living in the Lancashire town where house prices are soaring have vowed "never to leave".

Property website Zoopla, recently found 88% of homes in Chorley increased in value last year.

There are ambitious plans afoot for the "thriving" commuter-friendly town, too, as the council bids to become the UK's first Town of Culture and make it a top visitor attraction by 2030.

The BBC spent an afternoon in Chorley to find out from residents what the buzz about living in the area is.

Grace Pearson lives in the village of Coppull and works in retail in the town centre.

The 18-year-old said Chorley was "good for nights out" although "not late ones" and the "people were all right".

The market was the town's greatest asset, she said.

"It gets so busy on market days - it is a real boost to the town."

She cited Birkacre as a notable local beauty spot which has the Yarrow Valley Country Park nature reserve nearby.

"I'm proud to live in Chorley and I don't think I'll ever move," she added.

Tammy Daly is the manager at the Chorley branch of Ben Rose Estate Agents.

She has worked at the family run independent estate agents for more than a decade and said there has been a notable rise in house prices.

Ben Rose use an "offers over" basis when selling houses and she said when vendors take their advice they are "comfortably" achieving well over the marketing price.

Tammy, who is originally from Blackburn, said demand to live there is pushing house prices up.

"Chorley has everything," she said.

From the "old school market town" to the "very rural surrounding villages" it has something for everyone - with "lovely down to earth people," she added.

She said the area also has great accessibility as well as good schools.

"It is like living in Cheshire but half the price," she said.

"You can live here and be on a train and in Manchester in 30 minutes."

Nat Cardno opened her salon Nat Hair & Co on Market Place in Chorley in May.

Originally from Preston, she has worked in the town for 17 years and now lives in the village of Clayton-le-Woods.

"I wouldn't move back," she said.

She said it was a "thriving" town with "really authentic friendly people".

"The market is a real hub and brings such a lot of people to the town," Nat said.

She said some great micro pubs and eateries were popping up and replacing empty outlets to further boost the town centre.

The 47-year-old said the accessibility of the commuter-friendly town was a huge plus point.

She said when she sees the sign at the bus station which says 'Chorley, the best of Lancashire all in one place' it "makes me smile" and "proud to have my business in Chorley".

Butcher Wayne Darbyshire has lived all his life in Chorley and said he would never live anywhere else.

"It's got everything you need in one place," he said, adding he probably takes it for granted.

The father-of-three said he lives in the town centre but the surrounding countryside which includes Rivington Pike and Yarrow Valley Country Park was perfect for family days out.

"It's brilliant for walks - there are loads of nice places to take them."

Steve Hayman who works alongside him said he uprooted from Bolton to Chorley 20 years ago and has never looked back.

The butcher said: "It's a great friendly town.

"It's got a nice community and got very good shops.

The grandfather said the parks - such as Astley Park - were "ideal for my grandkids".

Dawn Elliott runs the Create and Sew Studio in the town.

She lives in Bolton but her parents have lived in Chorley for 12 years.

"They loved the vibe here," she said.

"People are so welcoming here."

The 48-year-old said when she decided to quit her office job to do something more creative in 2019 she decided to base it in Chorley.

"I chose to set up my business here because the council's development team were so helpful," she said, adding so was the business community, even direct competitors.

It is easily accessible, too, and she attracts customers from Bolton, Leyland and Preston as well as Southport.

"I have the nicest customers," she said.

She said the town has a growing creative scene and this has led her to extend her courses which were initially just sewing to cover everything from lampshade making to crochet.

The mum-of-two isn't ruling out moving to Chorley one day.

"Maybe when I downsize," she said.

Not everyone is set on staying in the Chorley area forever, though.

Kathryn Davidson, 23, lives in Coppull and said property prices were high there especially "for people starting from scratch".

She said there were perks of living in the Chorley area such as going for walks to nearby Rivington Pike but she would like to move to the Manchester area one day.

The nightlife "was a bit dead" after the closure of two clubs Applejax and the Lost Bar so she heads to Manchester for nights out, she said.

She said it was really easy to get there and other cities as Chorley has great transport links.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.