BENNECKE Investment, Costa Blanca property consultants, will be holding an exhibition at the Holiday Inn, Ashford, from November 2-3.

The company, which has an office in Altea and another just south of Torrevieja, is offering more than 1,000 properties - new and resales - to prospective clients. Apartments, semi-detached, detached and fincas are available, with prices starting around £60,000.

The exhibition is open from 10am - 5pm and admission is free. For further information, view the website, www.bennecke.com or phone 0034 966 704 256

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JONES Lang LaSalle's National Office Investment Team recently represented MRU Property Developments in the sale of Bank House, a multi-let office building on Bank Street in Tonbridge.

The sale was for a total sum of £2,440,000 million, reflecting a net initial yield of nine per cent.

Bank House is a four-storey 1980s office building and comprises 1,166.03 sq m (12,551 sq ft). The building is let to Lombard Insurance Group Services on four separate leases for an average unexpired term of nine years with a surety from Groupama Insurances Group.

Allsop's acted as the purchaser's agent.

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THE ultimate in chic meets cutting edge design at Urban Gardens 2003. Top designers, TV personalities, more than 250 exhibitors and a host of inspirational ideas will come together to create state of the art urban style.

The event will feature 16 show gardens put together by some of the UK's leading experts in design. Themes include element gardens representing fire, water, mineral and wood, night gardens illustrating the dramatic effect of lighting techniques and a series of rooftop paradises.

TV personalities from design programmes will be there to discuss the latest concepts in contemporary garden design alongside some of the UK's best known chefs who will be creating culinary delights fit to be enjoyed in an urban Eden.

Urban Gardens 2003 is being held in the Grand Hall, Olympia, London from April 11 to 13. For more information phone 01923 261663 or visit the website, www.urban-gardens.com

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DEMAND for new homes remains strong, according to housebuilders Barratt.

Frank Eaton, group chairman, said: “Our forward sales are at their highest ever and we can see no signs of demand slowing down at our sites. Economic conditions remain favourable with consumer confidence firmly underpinned by rising incomes, high levels of employment and the lowest mortgage costs for nearly 50 years. Coupled with this, there is a shortfall in housing supply which means that prices are continuing to rise.”

During the 12 months to June 30, 2002 Barratt sold 12,250 new homes in the UK, eight per cent up on the previous year.