King's Arm Pub in Mile Cross, Norwich, now five homes

Five families will have a new home for Christmas as people have been handed the keys to eco-friendly pads on the site of a former boozer.

The King's Arms Pub in Mile Cross served its last pint in early 2000 and had been slammed an "eyesore" and blighted by vandals and fly-tippers ever since.

But now a two-bedroom bungalow, five-bedroom house and three four-bedroom houses have been built on the land.

The homes are designed to save tenants money on heating and hot water with extra insulation, triple glazing and solar panels amid the growing cost of living crisis.

Councillor Gail Harris, Norwich City Council’s cabinet member for social housing, visited the site this week to welcome the five new households.

She said: "Turning this derelict plot into much-needed homes is a fantastic outcome for the city and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to social housing.

"Purchasing the King's Arms site to benefit the community just shows how creative we are when addressing the demand for affordable housing.

"It's been wonderful to meet some of the new owners already getting settled, just in time for Christmas, and I hope they'll all be very happy."

To make access to the development possible the city council has also acquired the house next door to the site - a former council home sold under the government's Right to Buy scheme.

Ms Sam, one of the new inhabitants of the housing scheme, who has moved from within Mile Cross, said: "It’s a lovely home, it couldn’t be better.

"We're really pleased to have moved in before Christmas and have already met lots of neighbours.

"This new home gives our family more space and staying in the area has meant we haven't had to change anything else."

Michael Newey, chief executive of Broadland Housing Association (BHA) added: "Our partnership with Norwich City Council has, over the years, been fruitful with many new homes for the people of Norwich.

"As the shortage of affordable housing continues - with many families in our city struggling to find good, well-maintained properties - these new homes are needed now more than ever."