Last March we reported the exceptional circumstances facing nine members of the Burgoyne family who were forced to live in a two bedroom flat in Restenneth Drive.

Angela Burgoyne had been asking to be rehoused since the previous August as she, her husband Antony and their three children were struggling to cope in the cramped conditions.

Tragic circumstances in January, when Antony's first wife Tina died in Brechin, resulted in his two teenage daughters, as well as their son and grandson, all moving into the flat.

Whilst Antony and Angela realised they could put up with the cramped conditions as a temporary measure, there seemed to be little hope of the family being rehoused.

However, the completion of 16 new homes at Caledonian Way by Angus Housing Association has provided a lifeline for the family and has given them the happy ending they craved at the beginning of the year.

Speaking from her new home, Angela stated: "We got the keys to our house on June 9 after the longest, ever, six months.

"My step-son Clive and his son David now live alone in our old flat in Restenneth Drive,

"Since moving we are all so much happier. We have four bedrooms - there is so much space.

"We even have a secluded garden where the kids can play.

"Everybody is so much happier here. I now walk around with a smile on my face and it's not fake.

"We really have to say a big thank you to Forfar councillor Colin Brown for stepping in to help us, and to Angus Council who have helped us since we moved.

"Clive and his son now have their independence. It's been all change for the better."

The Burgoynes now enjoy the facilities on offer in their five apartment, semi-detached house, whilst Clive and David are no longer forced to sleep on a mattress on the living room floor.

Angela and her family have the luxury of having a downstairs shower room and a bathroom upstairs - a far cry from the one bathroom in Restenneth Drive which meant bathtime had to start at four in the afternoon.

Speaking about their latest development in Forfar, Mike McManus, Angus Housing Association's development manager, stated they completed 16 new homes for affordable rent at the former railway cutting at Suttieside Road early in June.

The houses, all two storey, are a mix of semi-detached and terraced, ranging from two bedroom to four bedroom.

He said: "All the houses have combi gas boilers and have been built to the highest energy efficient standards.

"The site was previously owned by Webster Contracts and was sold to Angus Housing Association early in 2006.

"Permission to build on the site took some effort but was eventually agreed in Autumn 2006.

"Part of the work involved taking down the original bridge that crossed over the former railway line at Suttieside Road.

"The site has been transformed from an ugly unofficial dumping ground to an attractive cul de sac with open space for children to play.

"Tayside Police also awarded the scheme Secured by Design status."

The homes were started by Angus Housing Association's long time building partners Webster Contracts, with the work being completed by Scotia Homes, who merged with Webster's some months ago.

Mike continued: "This is a busy time for Angus Housing Association in Forfar with the recent completion of housing at Kirkton Park and the ongoing work at the former Infirmary site, which should see some of the homes tenanted before the end of the year."