The council is asking anyone considering selling a house to contact them and help make to make a difference to families who are in need of a home.

Councillor Laurie Fraser, chair of the council’s Housing and Property Committee, stressed that the purchases would be in addition to the Council’s policy of building new affordable housing.

He said: “There is a continuing need for good quality affordable housing across Highland, especially for three, four and five-bed properties and we welcome the opportunity to meet some of this need through purchase of individual properties.”

The council will consider purchasing properties across the region which meet certain criteria including condition and value. It will provide a valuation for any property of interest and will not require a Home Report nor for the property to be advertised.

Anyone interested in finding out more can contact the council by e-mailing housing.development@highland.gov.uk.