LONG delays at Test Valley Borough Council in carrying out local searches for home buyers are now a thing of the past.

The council says its land charges service is now back on track after hundreds of house buyers and estate agents in Romsey were hit by delays last summer.

Last August, the Daily Echo reported how buyers were facing delays of up to eight weeks because it was taking the council so long to complete local searches.

Angry estate agents in Romsey complained of lost sales and revealed some buyers were having to do their own searches.

Test Valley says buyers are now receiving the normal standard of service again, with applications for searches turned around in ten working days.

The council blamed the problems on "an unprecedented upturn in the market and the number of applications received" plus "teething problems" with a new computer system.

The council's corporate portfolio holder, councillor Neville Whiteley, said: "I am delighted the problems are now solved and we have started the new year producing searches within our target timescales. Indeed, the new computer system is working well and many searches are being completed well within the time."

Head of service Mick Mundy said: "Staff have worked beyond the call of duty to sort out the problems and extra help was brought in too. I would like to thank all those who have applied for searches in recent months for their patience and understanding through a difficult period."