Stewart Andersen, Editor

Market day in Montcuq

As the days get shorter and colder, emerging from my home in Montcuq can be a daunting prospect and one Sunday recently I found myself believing I’d have to stay indoors until the spring, cooking, reading and knitting to entertain myself in our small village in the southwest region of France. Outside, the horse chestnut trees that not so long ago dropped their conkers on cars, boule players and pedestrians alike hang their heads and wait for the warmer weather.

But actually, in spite of it being a freezing wet Sunday, we were spoiled for choice. The morning’s main activity involved preparing lunch after going to the local market. Half the stalls didn’t turn up for once because of the rain but the old farmers and diehards were there with the best of the local produce. This is very much a country area and the food from the Lot is delicious and above all, seasonal.

The Christmas spirit

Wild, spicy rocket from the toothless cowboy, organic spinach from the mousy little lady wrapped up in a coat and shawl, and baby sprouts from the man with bandy legs who served us while managing to let the rainwater run down the gutter between his feet.

A busy Sunday in the Lot

At the same time, local firemen were showing off their skills to raise money for a Telethon and the local school and all the teachers were selling homemade cakes and cards in the same way that the WI does in the UK.

We enjoyed a lovely lunch with old friends and someone popped over to ask if he could use the Internet. After an enormous and delicious pot au feu, a variety of cheeses and two cakes (one made by the school), we strolled up to the church of St Privat where the choir was due to sing a Christmas Concert in French and English. This just goes to show how many foreigners, and especially the British, tend to have settled here.

The whole church was full of elderly residents and the only other young person was the 11-year old butcher’s son but I loved being there all the same and really getting into the Christmas spirit. The Mayor turned up and clapped enthusiastically after every song, and the choir was wonderful, particularly given that they are all amateurs.

To round off our Sunday we made our way to the Salle de Fêtes to see a movie, When Pigs Have Wings (Le Cochon de Gaza). This is a French, Belgian and German production directed by Sylvain Estibal and is the story of a poor Palestinian fisherman who reels in a pot-bellied pig along with his usual catch.

I can’t say I felt especially guilty when finally I took to my cosy bed with a good book (The Hare with Amber Eyes) and no supper after such a busy and fun-filled day in cold December. Life in Montcuq really has a very great deal to offer.

If you own a property overseas, always keep up-to-date with changes in legislation

Trevor Leggett, Chief Executive of Leggett Immobilier, one of the leading international estate agencies in France says: “The amendment is primarily aimed at providing relief to French ex-pats but could benefit hundreds, if not thousands, of UK owners of French houses who had been reluctant to put their properties on the market. “You must have owned the house for at least five years and you can’t have owned a ‘principal residence’ for at least two years. In cases of divorce the absent partner can still consider the marital home the principal residence. Parliament has said that the new rule will come into force on 1 February 2012, to coincide with other property tax reforms. However, I’m not yet sure that they have nailed this down and expect further twists and turns ahead”.

Currently, residents of France are subject to fixed rates of capital gains tax of 19 per cent as well as paying social charges. Non-residents, from outside the EU, pay 33.33 per cent with no social charges.

Those non-residents who come from within the EU pay tax on French property gains at 19 percent and do not pay social charges.

The capital gain is calculated as the proceeds from the sale less cost of purchase. A deduction of 7.5 percent of the acquisition price can also be made in lieu of actual costs, or the costs themselves (if you have proof) can be deducted, as well as any costs of sale such as estate agency and legal fees, transfer tax and Notaire’s fees.

Parliament has previously said that from 1 February 2012, a new CGT relief will apply:

Years 1 to 5 – no relief

Years 6 to 17 – 2 percent relief per annum

Years 18 to 24 – 4 percent relief per annum

Years 25 to 30 – 8 percent relief per annum

To keep up to date with any property related tax changes you should regularly visit the website www.frenchestateagents.com. Do always remember to seek specialist professional advice.

French property and lifestyle is continuing to be popular among Britons

The latest report from the FNAIM shows house prices rising for the 5th consecutive quarter. The report covers the second quarter of 2011 (April – June) and is available on www.fnaim.fr.

Prices of properties sold by FNAIM members saw an average rise of 3.3% over the previous quarter with a strong rise (4.3%) in properties outside of Paris.

Trevor Leggett, Chief Executive of Leggett Immobilier, comments: “Further headlines of house price rises need to be treated with caution. We know that the average price of property sold in France by FNAIM members has increased by 6.8% overall this year but it’s important that vendors expectation levels remain realistic.”

Sensible pricing will mean that transaction levels remain consistent and both buyers and sellers will benefit. As previously reported, Leggett Immobilier are certainly seeing an increase in enquiry levels from both local and international buyers – particularly at the top end of the market.

The new wealth tax rules coming into place are making France one of the most attractive destinations in Europe, as the threshold for this tax (ISF) is increasing from €800,000 to €1.3 million. Households with assets of between €1.3 million and €3 million will be subject to a tax of 0.25 percent and for assets over €3 million the tax will be 0.5 percent.

There has also been one recent change to the law on Capital Gains Tax: Previously, a reduction of 10% per year, beyond the fifth year of ownership, has been applied to the gain calculated. Therefore, sales made beyond the 15th year of holding the property had been fully exempt from CGT and social security contributions.

Now though, the tax due on the sale of these ‘non primary’ residences will be calculated in accordance with the Indice du Coût de la Construction (rate of building inflation) at the time of the sale – taking into account the year you bought the property. In essence this ensures that the natural evolution of price rises is not taxable which appears a sensible move.

This new regime will apply to sales after the 24th August 2011.

Non-residents may well have to pay for an independent fiscal representative to ensure the CGT calculation is correct.

The Government are overseeing some radical tax changes to French property ownership and Leggett Immobilier aim to keep you abreast of the implications of these changes through regular updates on our website www.frenchestateagents.com.

The opening up of new Jet2 routes from Scotland will give skiers greater access to the slopes

From December 2011, low-cost airline Jet2 are commencing new routes from Edinburgh and Glasgow to the heart of the Alps – Chambery, Geneva and Salzburg. With the winter holiday season only months away many keen skiers will already be planning a vacation and having greater access to the slopes is excellent news with direct flights from Glasgow to Geneva and Edinburgh to Salzburg and Chambery.

Commenting on the announcement of the new routes, Ian Doubtfire, Jet2′s Managing Director, said: “Friendly flight times are carefully scheduled to get passengers to the resorts and out on the snow the day they arrive. Customers don’t need to rush for a seat as they are pre-allocated – we want to make sure any racing is done on the piste and not to get on the aircraft!”

For owners of chalets on the Alpine ski slopes who will be looking to maximise their rental potential, new flight opportunities such as these are always fabulous news.

Charlie Williams, Business Development Manager of eco-friendly ski property developer Terresens and keen ski enthusiast explains: “Giving home owners and holidaymakers more choice and more availability to fly is always very positive news. We are particularly interested in the new flights being opened up to Chambery. This airport is a key portal to get into the Alps but also particularly good for people wanting to ski in the Tarentaise as the airport is only just over an hour from most resorts in this area. This ski region includes Val d’Isère and Tignes which is undoubtedly one of the largest ski areas in the world.

La Chapelle at Ste Foy is fully equipped with a wide range of facilities including an in/out pool and a spa

“We have a particularly interesting development in Ste Foy which nestles just below these two busy resorts. Ste Foy is a beautiful hidden gem, tucked 20 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Tignes and Val. The beauty of this resort is that the prices are ridiculously cheap compared to their neighbouring giants and holidaymakers have the choice of spending the day on the quiet slopes on their doorstep or driving up the mountain to use one of the other resorts. Another great fact about Ste Foy is you are skiing below the tree line rather than the barren open pistes in Val d’Isère and Tignes.”

La Chapelle is a luxurious 4* block of 68 apartments that provides both a fantastic lifestyle opportunity and also a strong investment with guaranteed and index-linked returns for 18+ years with an excellent French management company. All apartments come with fully fitted kitchens and flat screen TV’s. Shared facilities include an in/out pool, sauna, Turkish baths and a spa.

Prices for apartments in La Chapelle, Ste Foy, start from €161,014 and include furniture and parking.

For more information, contact: Terresens on-line at www.terresensleaseback.com

The bottom line is that this new tax will not set property owners back that much

In this article, we shed some light on the proposed new French tax on holiday homes and put the issues into perspective and show how to calculate the amount you may have to pay. Although it may hit the rich hard, others may not feel the effect quite so much.

A new holiday tax has been approved by President Sarkozy’s Cabinet and will be put before parliament to take effect from 2012 onwards. The tax will be imposed on all those who own a French holiday home and who don’t rent it out on a long-term basis. It could even hit French expats living abroad who are no longer residents for tax purposes, although not if they’ve paid tax for three of the previous ten years, which will probably account for the majority.

The tax won’t have any effect on investment properties such as French leasebacks and properties that are rented out (buy to lets). Second home owners in France already pay two local taxes – taxe d’habitation and taxe foncière – and this one will also be calculated based on the rental value of the property.

“Owning one or more second homes implies that one benefits directly or indirectly from local and national public services, like the police, legal system and national infrastructure,” the Finance Ministry said.

Many are worried that with the already weak pound, this new tax will have a serious effect on the housing market in France, in particular in more rural areas. The number of expats selling up has already increased considerably (doubled in fact in the past year) and this may be one step too far for them.

Rental value

As the tax is calculated based on the rental value (so dependent on the size and location of the house) you will pay more if your property is located along the French Riviera, in Paris or in one of the ski resorts. However, many would argue that for those who already own such premium housing or are looking to purchase in these areas, the extra levy will be no more than loose change.

Markets in France become very much a part of the lives of property owners

The flip side is that for most second home owners who’ve bought a character property in a rural area of France (be it Normandy, the Dordogne, Charente or Limousin) the rental value won’t actually be that much, and thus the amount owners will be levied won’t be very much.

To calculate the charges you might face, look at a copy of your last taxe foncière bill. On the last page, under ‘Taxe foncières – Détail du Calcul des Cotisations’, next to the word ‘base’ should be the rental value of your property. You should see that the various taxes levied by your Council produce amounts that relate to that rental value. The new tax will be 20 percent of that ‘base’ or notional rental value. So 20 percent of that figure is what you’d be liable to pay each year.

We can illustrate this point with a villa located near Allemagne en Provence (in the Alpes de Haute Provence), currently on the market for €577,500, with two acres of land, a pool and five bedrooms. The ‘base’ is €1,914 which is the estimated rental value for the French tax office. The owner currently pays a taxe foncière of €1,046/a year. This new tax equates to an extra €382.80 a year, or €32 a month, which is not a large sum of money, and this is a fairly desirable area of France, under an hour from Aix en Provence.

The bottom line is that this new tax will not set property owners back that much. Hope remains that it may not even come to this – the tax will no doubt be challenged as discriminatory under European law, even though the wording tried to avoid this issue by saying that all who own a second home are liable, even French citizens resident abroad.

An interesting aside: The French will be reforming their own wealth tax, and items such as art work (paintings) and statues will now be taxable and part of the wealth tax calculation. They had previously been excluded from the list when the new wealth tax was created in 1981. The threshold is likely to be €900,000, so relatively high. The tax shield put in place by Sarkozy in 2007 puts the ceiling on the tax at 50% of income but MPs are keen to scrap the shield altogether. Both still remain to be debated, however.

For more information on French property in general and the new tax in particular, go on-line at: www.sextantproperties.com

David Franks: Chief Executive, Blevins Franks Tax Limited

Are you or will you become a British expatriate living in France? Do you own property in France? Both France and the UK impose an inheritance tax, but which country will tax you?

French residents:

1)         French tax

Worldwide assets belonging to French residents (including real estate located outside France) passing by way of lifetime gift or death are subject to tax in France.

2)         UK tax

Usually, the worldwide estates of UK domiciles are subject to UK inheritance tax, and only the UK assets of non-UK domiciles are subject to UK inheritance tax. However, under the tax treaty on death taxes between the UK and France, long-term French residents are deemed to be domiciled in France for UK inheritance tax purposes, and thus are only liable to UK tax on their UK–sited assets.

So, where you are French resident when you die but have UK assets, tax is due in both countries, but under the terms of the tax treaty, credit is given in France for any tax paid in the UK, so you do not actually have to pay tax twice. You will have to pay the higher liability in whichever country it arises, though.

If you make a gift, however, the tax treaty does not apply, and therefore any lifetime gift made will only drop out of the UK inheritance tax net if you survive for seven years from the date of the gift.

3)         Receiving an inheritance from the UK

Double tax credit relief is available if the asset (e.g. a French property) is taxable in both countries.

If you are a French resident and have been so for at least six out of the previous 10 years, when you receive an inheritance or gift it is taxable in France. This applies even if you receive the gift from someone who is not resident in France and/or the asset/s in question are not located in France.

However, if you receive an inheritance of non-French assets from a UK domicile, it will have been subject to UK inheritance tax, and under the Double Tax Treaty, the inheritance is not liable to French succession tax as well, even if you have been living in France for more than six years. This relief does not apply to gifts, though!

Non-residents

If you own property and other assets in France they will be subject to French succession tax when you die, even if you are not a French resident. They will also form part of your estate for UK inheritance tax purposes, but your heirs will be entitled to a credit of the French tax paid on the asset to avoid double taxation.

Since this is a complex issue you should seek personal advice regarding French succession tax and its interaction with IHT, particularly if you wish to minimise your liabilities, or, more likely, the liabilities of your inheritors!

The tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual must take personalised advice.

Article written by: By David Franks, Chief Executive, Blevins Franks Tax Limited

Contact details: To contact Blevins Franks for additional information go to www.blevinsfranks.com or call them on 0044 (0)20 7336 1116 or email taxadvisoryservices@blevinsfranks.com

Could you find anywhere better than the Mediterranean? Small wonder so many people want to move there!

What, I was asked the other evening, was it about living in Spain that you loved so much, that made you stay there for so many years. We were at a friend’s for dinner and the man sitting across the table from me clearly regretted he hadn’t done it himself some years before.

The question was just loud enough to cause one of those silences around the table that make you wish you were somewhere else. I knew that I could try and slide out of answering it but that would have led to my being pushed for a real answer. So that’s what I gave them.

The first part of the answer was that I love the Mediterranean and I have never been made to feel so welcome anywhere as I was by the Spanish. Put the two together and you’ll have the short answer. But that wasn’t enough so I went on to explain that it’s a mixture of the lifestyle, the food and drink and the extraordinary climate as well as the people.

The neighbours!

The truth is, there’s absolutely nothing better than waking up with the sunlight making stripes across your bedroom walls. As the day peers through the shutters you can feel its warmth. Then you stroll out onto the terrace and put your toe into your pool to check the temperature. The water is heating up nicely so you have a swim.

Then you get dressed and stroll into your local village to buy fresh, hot bread, have a coffee and a pastry in the café (or a carajillo – a half and half of espresso and cognac – I’ve seen lorry drivers drinking them in a bar near the station in Granada at 4am) and then there’s a slow walk home feeling the heat of the day gathering strength.

It’s a fact that there are thousands of people living exactly that lifestyle right now because they have bought a home in the sun. And there are almost certainly as many thousands who are thinking of little else but the day they can wave goodbye to the removals van as it sets off for the ferry.

How the market has changed

Some thirty years ago, most people dreamed of a home in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and possibly Florida. Since then, however, the market has opened up dramatically and there are expats in countries as far apart as Brazil to Thailand and Canada to Turkey.

Who wants to live anywhere else?

The reality is that people are no longer as worried about the distances separating them from the UK. The brake on many couples moving to a home abroad was the fact that they would rarely see their loved ones.

By now I was being asked questions around the dinner table by other people, but the main one they wanted an answer to was: “Wouldn’t we miss our families?” It was interesting how many were actually thinking of making the move. I pointed out that the Mediterranean countries allow you easy access back to the UK by road, rail and air.

And wherever you move to now, thanks to cheaper and faster flights and the Internet, it’s so much easier to keep in touch. Using a laptop means you can listen to the BBC, watch Sky TV or listen via the internet to Expatsradio.com. With a webcam you can hold unlimited, face-to-face chats with your family back home and probably once a year, you’ll be on a plane flying home for a holiday and to stock up on tea bags and Marmite.

There are thousands of people living exactly this sort of lifestyle because they have bought a home in the sun

I explained that there are some people who make the move to another country and then fret that friends and family won’t bother to come and see them. How wrong they are. The problem won’t be that they’re forgotten; it’ll be that they don’t have enough bedrooms. Doubtless they’ll shut the front door after waving off the latest visitors, sigh and say, “It’s nice to have the place to ourselves again.”

Just before we left that evening, I was asked: “How did you get on with learning the language?” The truth was that I never minded making a fool of myself when I made mistakes. I told them about the time I went into a pharmacy, got myself completely tangled up with what I was trying to say and apologised, saying I was deeply embarrassed for my poor Spanish. The staff and the customers all collapsed into gales of laughter. I asked what I had just said and they explained I had just told them that I was heavily pregnant.

The last question that evening was would I ever do it all again. “Well,” my wife said, “We are going to France three times in the next couple of months…”

Owning a home in France can transform your way of life

Knightsbridge-based international mortgage broker, Baydonhill is claiming UK-based investors are missing opportunities in the French property market because of poor information and common misconceptions.

The weak pound has led many to believe they cannot secure a French euro-based mortgage without transferring sterling. The company also states that UK investors are also not fully aware of the drop in prices relative to the UK, with values having fallen from 2008 levels by as much as 30 per cent in some areas.

Through the downturn French banks have maintained consistent lending policies compared to their UK counterparts.

Tom Foster, specialist mortgage consultant at Baydonhill explains: “UK residents looking to buy and move to France without selling their UK home have the option of securing a French euro-based mortgage rather than transferring sterling at a time when the pound remains relatively weak. This approach suits those unwilling or unable to sell their UK property in the currently weak market. Instead they have the option of taking a UK rental income.

“On application, buyers can classify up to 100 per cent of their UK rental income as ‘ongoing monthly income’, when applying for a French loan. Making monthly sterling payments will spread the exchange rate risk compared to converting a large lump sum sterling payment into euros at a poor exchange rate. Those looking to let their French property can use the euro rental income to service the French mortgage. Selecting a product with no early redemption penalty means that when the UK market eventually recovers and they sell in the UK, clients can pay off their French mortgage in full without penalty.”

Why not shop in your local market followed by lunch in your local bar?

French banks are keen to lend to foreign investors provided they meet local lending criteria. This is a more logical and consistent approach than has been seen in the tight UK market. French banks use a standard debt to income ratio of 33 per cent to assess applicants. These ratios are calculated by comparing current overall income against existing long-term commitments. However, certain lenders are more flexible in their assessments, especially when dealing with high net worth clients.

Applicants will find that higher loan to value mortgages are available. French lenders typically offer 85 per cent loans to value as standard to anyone who qualifies. Therefore applicants are required to provide a 15 per cent deposit plus fund their legal fees which can range between 6-10 per cent of the purchase price. Some lenders will offer up to 100 per cent loans to borrowers securing a minimum loan of €300,000 if they are able to prove earnings of at least €90,000.

“We want to dispel the misconceptions that lead to missed opportunities in French property,” continues Foster. “There are some tremendous prospects in 2011 and we want to ensure that UK-based investors are aware of the different investment options available to them.”

About Baydonhill International Mortgages:

The multi-lingual Baydonhill team has more than twenty years experience in the mortgage industry. They offer a complete international mortgage broking service for clients seeking to purchase property in key European markets such as France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. Baydonhill has strong relationships with key banking partners in Europe which enables them to offer clients timely decisions and competitive rates on their mortgage applications.

For more information visit: www.baydonhillfx.com

The architecturally elegant exterior of the château which is located in the Beaujolais region

Elegant in scale, architecturally exquisite and with beautiful views of surrounding vineyards, this magnificent château affords a sophisticated lifestyle in Beaujolais, one of France’s prettiest wine regions.

Between the villages of Saint-Amour and Fleurie in the hilly Beaujolais countryside and on the border of Burgundy, the prestigious 17th-century château mansion sits majestically in the middle of the region’s renowned vineyards.

Built in 1690, the château is a unique heritage property, steeped in history and the elegance of a bygone era. It has been occupied by several noble families, and it was also a postal relay station where Napoleon stopped for two days in 1811.

The château and vineyard estate exudes elegance and grandeur, reflecting the generous sense of space and sophistication. The property consists of a luxury château residence, wine-producing vineyards, a four bedroom guesthouse and a chapel. The gorgeou swimming pool is set in a tranquil spot in the midst of the grapevines.

The main building of the château has eleven bedrooms while there is also a four bedroom guesthouse

The main building has eleven bedrooms, and there are numerous reception areas such as sitting rooms, boudoirs, libraries, billiard rooms, dining rooms and a home cinema, which are all tastefully decorated and each having its own charm.

An interior courtyard

There are four beautiful fireplaces in the main house and one in the guest house. The exceptional kitchen, equipped with professional appliances, can cater for over 30 guests.

There are also wine cellars and a summer kitchen in an interior courtyard boasting a town fountain and a La Cornue barbecue.

This is a luxurious home where the new owner will find nothing has been overlooked

With a blend of fine architectural details and superb furnishings, this home is picture-perfect and is ready for immediate occupation; it is lavishly furnished, outfitted and decorated. Every detail has been taken care of, even a set of house linens and a complete “La Pléiade” collection in the libraries.

The mid-19th century St Suplice-style chapel is still consecrated and has been entirely renovated with its wonderful stained glass windows. A small cloister leads to a building providing a relaxation area with sauna and massage room as well as three more bedrooms.

The estate’s singular setting commands almost two hectares of grapevines surrounding the château. Its A.O.C. Moulin à Vent red wine, a single Gamay variety, is officially accredited as the ‘Vin de Bourgogne’ naming.

This home is impressive and is a quintessential trophy property for a celebrity, jet-setter, entrepreneur, wine enthusiast or savvy investor. Offered at €4.7 million, it is a solid investment with unlimited lifestyle potential and real estate value.

The Château and Vineyard estate for sale is available from Signature Residences Worldwide. For more information, go on-line at www.signatureresidencesworldwide.com or telephone: +44 (0)20 7095 8701

Fancy winning a free return crossing to France? You can, thanks to P&O Ferries!

This competition is brought to you through a collaboration between P&O Ferries, Expatsradio and www.homesandtravel.co.uk

How to enter the competition:

For your chance to win a free standard return crossing – which can be used for a car and up to nine passengers for any length of stay – just answer the question below and send your entry, marked P&O Ferries Competition, to: expatcompetitions@hotmail.co.uk

Entries should arrive by 30^th April 2011 and the lucky winners will be drawn at random by an independent judge on 16/05/2011 [two weeks after competition closing date]. The winners will be notified by telephone or email within seven days.

* Our decision of the prize winners is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome of the prize promotion.

* No purchase is necessary to enter.

Question:

What was the name of the company that the letters P&O originally stood for?

P&O Ferries

P&O Ferries is investing €360 million in the two largest ferries ever to operate the Dover – Calais route. The first, Spirit of Britain, entered service at the end of January to widespread acclaim and here’s your chance to celebrate a new era for ferry travel by winning one of twelve trips we have to give away in conjunction with Expatsradio.com, each for a car and up to nine passengers.

The Spirit of Britain

At 49,000 tonnes, 213 metres in length, and with 12 decks, the new ferries are by far the largest ever designed for the Dover Strait. And at a combined cost of €360 million they’re also the largest investment ever made by P&O Ferries.

On board there’s space aplenty to offer the broadest range of facilities. The family lounge gives commanding Channel views from the front of the ship and dining options include waiter service and self-service restaurants.

There’s an extensive shopping centre offering big name brands at bargain off shore prices. The Club Lounge provides a quiet retreat, or relax in the aft bar which opens onto the outside deck where you can watch the world go by using the binoculars provided at special viewing points.

Spirit of Britain is now in service and sister ship Spirit of France will follow in September. You can take a virtual tour of the new ships at www.poferries.com/newships but if you take a moment to enter our competition, you could win a trip to see the real thing for yourself. The total value of these 12 prizes in peak season is more than £2,000.

For more information, go on-line to: www.poferries.com

Expatsradio

Expatsradio.com began life at the end of 2005 as a small test website to see if anybody would actually be interested in talking to us or listening to what we had to say. The answer? A resounding yes!

Our aim was simple: to create a site which would provide people already living or contemplating moving abroad with information on important issues like finance and law, compiled by our team, experts or the listeners themselves.

The medium of audio proved to be not only useful and practical, but also popular and entertaining.

Entertainment is an important word at Expatsradio for who wants only practical information? We are now able to provide everything from morning stories to music programmes. Regular topics include gardening, cookery, horoscopes and news.

The associated website grew surprisingly quickly and warranted a massive upgrade. This has given the site a new, modern and professional look together with the latest high tech facilities, which in turn has seen a large jump in both site traffic and interest.

With the spring and summer in the not-too-distant future, this competition could open the doors to France

This launch marked a huge leap in not just technology but also what Expatsradio can offer. It has changed the very way in which business is conducted and how articles and programmes are handled.

Starting with a very small team Expatsradio has expanded rapidly to incorporate a host of skilled professionals from journalists to animators and from web developers to marketing specialists.

Today Expatsradio is not just another website but a powerful, free resource available worldwide via computer or mobile phone. It is now relied on by many for its high quality impartial advice offered in text, audio and video format at the click of a button.

For more information, go to: www.expatsradio.com

www.homesandtravel.co.uk

At www.homesandtravel.co.uk we have access to many different information layers throughout the property and travel industries. We include features on the site that examine everything from new property developments in the UK to homes around the world. We cover the latest statistics on the property markets and we look at the progress being made in eco homes.

There's nothing like a visit to a French fruit and vegetable market

Launched in 2010, the site is packed with up-to-date articles that will help you to decide the what, the where and the how in buying a home both in the UK and abroad.

The website, www.homesandtravel.co.uk, is put together in an easy-to-use format and is a simple way for you to gather information about owning or travelling to your homes, whether in the Britain or overseas.

The site is continuing to grow and important features are planned as we head into the spring. Articles that are crammed with information are continually being uploaded at www.homesandtravel.co.uk. These include financial and legal information as well topics such as which destinations are best for investment, money saving tips plus main features that will continue to look at the many aspects of overseas and UK homes and travel.

For more information, go to: www.homesandtravel.co.uk

COMPETITION RULES

• Prizes cannot be extended and are only valid on the Dover – Calais route operated by P&O Ferries
• Prizes cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
• Normal height/length/width/weight restrictions apply and prize crossings are subject to space availability
• Prizes are valid until 31 December 2011
• No cash or other alternatives for any of the stated prizes will be offered
• The judge’s decision is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into
• Neither P&O Ferries’ employees and their relatives nor employees/relatives of this publication/station are eligible to enter the competition
• P&O Ferries reserves the right in unforeseen circumstances beyond its control to change these rules or alter this promotion at any time without prior notice
• All additional travel supplements will be met by the competition winners and not by P&O Ferries
• All bookings exclude Bank Holidays and are subject to restricted space and availability
• Prizes are not transferable