COULD LIVERPOOL MUM TAKE NATIONAL TITLE? 

LAST CHANCE TO VOTE FOR CANDICE AS BRITAIN'S BEST LONE PARENT

ONLY five days left now in the national Lone Parent of the Year Awards, people in Liverpool only have a short while left to vote for local finalist, Candice Jones.

Devoted lone parent Candice Jones, of Fordlea Road in Liverpool, has been selected as the Liverpool's finalist in the Lone Parent of the Year Awards following a heart-felt nomination from her nine-year old daughter Kya. 

The mother of one has reached the final 10 out of the hundreds of entries to the competition being run by family holiday specialists Eurocamp and lone parent organisation Gingerbread. Candice has gone head-to-head with other single parents from around the UK in a national public online ballot (at www.eurocamp.co.uk) to decide an overall winner and three runners up and she needs your vote to win! 

31 year old Candice was nominated for her skill and hard work in juggling a job, a degree and still finding time to do voluntary work within the community. 

In the eight years she has been a single mum, Candice has devoted her life to helping her daughter as well as others, whilst holding down a full time job as a trainee probation officer and studying for a degree in community justice at Liverpool University. Prior to this, Candice worked as support staff for Merseyside Police. 

She is sure to have the backing of St Paul's Catholic Junior Primary School in West Derby where she is Governor, along with the local Brownie and Guide groups. 

To view all 10 finalists and to vote for the winner of the Lone Parent of the Year Award go to www.eurocamp.co.uk, or write to Lone Parent of the Year Award, PO Box 348, MANCHESTER M15 4WL. You can also email your entry to nominations@eurocampaward.co.uk. Voting runs until 31 May 2004 and winners will be announced in June 2004.

Birdwatching Event...

GO bird Watching on the 5 June to 6 June on Southport Pier. Join Sefton Rangers and the RSPB from 11am to 4pm. Repeated on the 19 and 20 June.

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Parents Hold The Key In The Property Market

27 MAY 2004...  Leaving home for the first time can be a daunting experience, but for an increasing number of teenagers, establishing this new found independence is being made that little bit easier thanks to a new breed of landlord... their  mum and dad. 

Bryant Homes, one of the UK's leading house builders, has noticed a growing trend that sees parents buying properties near university locations for their children to live in whilst they are studying. 

Examples in Bryant's North West region include Wellington Court in Manchester.

Peter Vella, Sales and Marketing Director of Bryant Homes North West said:- "This growing trend for purchasers to buy properties for their children is a result of a variety of economic, social and political factors. The Government's policy of expanding university places means that there are now more people than ever enrolled on courses. As a consequence, there is a shortage of quality rental accommodation near to university campuses.

In addition, increasing tuition fees and living costs means that parents are finding that that their children need more financial help in order to complete their studies. For an increasing number of parents, the solution to these problems is to buy their own property and become their children's landlords. And buying new means they can be sure the home is safe, no bodged wiring or decaying central heating systems to worry about."

In the long term, buying a property also provides a nest egg for the future as once the studies are over, the property can be let out again. 

"The current buoyant economy means many people have more disposable income and healthy equity in their family homes which they are wise to invest," continued Peter. "Many generations have been brought up with the belief that bricks and mortar are a sound investment - as safe as houses, in fact and so property is seen as a good alternative to pensions for a secure future. Investors buying to let have become a significant influence in the market." 

Whatever the vagaries of the economy, long-term investments are the safest bet and those who can start early will benefit the most. Whether mum and dad are looking to secure a nest egg for their retirement or simply just relieved to have their own home to themselves again, they are set to be the new landlords and landladies of the future.  But this culture is a dangerous one.  Young people will not have the cash later in their lives to pay for their retirement and this might have long lasting economic and social repercussions for our nation.