Home from home

It's a peculiar form of invasion. The aliens take over the best houses in the village, destroy the atmosphere in the local pub and then promptly disappear for most of the year. No wonder the likes of Len Ford of Appledore in Devon are bewildered by the phenomenon of second homes. We should point out, however, that tourists and second-home owners are often the salvation of local economies. How about a compromise? As a gesture of goodwill, holidaying urbanites could offer disgruntled locals the use of their own town houses. Surely no one can argue with that. It might even make a good television programme: House Swap.

It's a peculiar form of invasion. The aliens take over the best houses in the village, destroy the atmosphere in the local pub and then promptly disappear for most of the year. No wonder the likes of Len Ford of Appledore in Devon are bewildered by the phenomenon of second homes. We should point out, however, that tourists and second-home owners are often the salvation of local economies. How about a compromise? As a gesture of goodwill, holidaying urbanites could offer disgruntled locals the use of their own town houses. Surely no one can argue with that. It might even make a good television programme: House Swap.