Hundreds of flats in 'top UK surf resort' Newquay squatted as developers go bust!

Students, young professionals, families and even retirees have descended upon Newquay to take advantage of UK squatting laws to lawfully occupy 'high spec' trendy apartments fitted out with 'state of the art' interior appliances and furniture.

Simon, 27 and his girlfriend Petra, 25 were living nearby paying £750 per month rent until they realised that they could be saving thousands of pounds a year simply squatting an empty flat. Petra, who works in the travel industry, explains: 'We met other people who told us they'd taken occupancy in a new block of flats that had been taken off the market as the developers had gone into receivership. Simply, nobody really cared about what happened to the flats. Our neighbours are retired. Their income had dropped because of low interest rates on their savings, so they've rented out their house in the Home Counties for the extra income.'

Although the Cornish squatters don't pay rent, they still need to pay council tax, utilities and conform to other legal obligations. 'It's still worth it.' claims Simon, 'and the views are fabulous.'

While some in the popular holiday resort of Newquay aren't so impressed with their new neighbours, most appear relieved that the hundreds of empty flats and houses abandoned by developers haven't fallen into dereliction. A local shop worker said: 'It's great to see some life breathed back into our town.'