Teachers, doctors and nurses are snapping up new homes built especially for key workers in the Maldon district.

Moat Housing Group's scheme has received an enthusiastic response throughout Essex and, despite the Maldon area's lack of need for a high-quantity of key workers, six prospective buyers are taking part in the initiative so far.

With only one hospital and three secondary schools, the number of key workers requiring a property in the district was always going to be low.

But a spokesman for Moat Housing Group said: "We have had a rush of applications from key workers in Essex to buy homes under the Government's key worker living scheme."

She said the scheme has been criticised for getting off to a slow start, but just five months after its launch, the group is bucking the trend.

Ms Noble added: "Due to the fact that Maldon only has a small primary care trust and three secondary schools, there is only one person currently looking.

"However, if we look at figures for people who live in Maldon and work elsewhere, there are currently five going through the scheme.

"One has already completed, two have found properties, and two are looking for a property. "

Chris Cheeseman, Moats director of development and new business, said We are having no trouble at all attracting key workers or in them finding properties.

"People are tripping over each other to join the scheme.

"As far as we are concerned, its an extremely successful new scheme and we are delighted to be helping so many key workers stay living in the expensive south to support our public services."

Public sector key workers interested in obtaining a key worker living grant to purchase a property should call Moat on 07002 662846 or apply on-line at www.moat.co.uk

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