ANTHEA Turner and husband Grant Bovey are cashing in on the Chester property boom after buying up a quarter of a city-centre apartment complex for an estimated £7m.

Mr Bovey's company Imagine Homes has bought 42 of the 160 units at The Quarter development in Egerton Street, Newtown, which sold for between £165,000 and £175,000 each.

Anthea, 45, is involved with sister company Imagine Furnishings, an interior design services company, which fits out the flats and has designed the furniture.

The flats are being rented for between £625 per month for a two bed-room apartment up to £1,000 for the most expensive penthouse suites. A total of 19 have been let so far.

The Surrey-based couple's move into property coincides with the waning of Anthea's TV career, though the self-confessed 'domestic Goddess' is currently presenting the BBC 3 series Perfect Housewife, training others in the art of keeping house.

Prospective tenants at The Quarter will be hoping 'landlady' Ms Turner does not show up out of the blue to inspect their property on a Sunday morning.

Anthea apparently believes there is 'never an excuse for a filthy flat, cluttered cottage, untidy apartment or a messy mansion'.

In the blurb for her show, she says: 'It's cool to have a well-run comfortable and inviting home.'

The Chester scheme is different to most of Imagine Homes's projects which are promoted as a hassle-free version of 'buy to let' because for the city developments to buy a year ahead of completion, with properties worth between £120,000 and £500,000. The purchases are only made after considerable research by the six-strong acquisition team, particularly into local rental demand.

Anyone interested in renting one of the Imagine Homes flats can ring Yasmin Player on 01244 351552.

david.holmes@cheshirenews.co.uk TAKING OWNERSHIP: Anthea Turner and Grant Bovey have bought 42 flats in The Quarter development in Egerton Street, Newtown. first two years Imagine Homes finds a tenant and manages the property while guaranteeing a rental income to the buyer. Bovey, who celebrates his 45th birthday next Thursday, looks for high-qual- n FREE plan & design service n With over 20 years experience in interior design n Made to measure n Quick & free delivery Make your dream kitchen a reality - contact DEELUX KITCHENS,102 BOUGHTON, CHESTER Tel: 01244 345607 35 RANGES IN STOCK FREE QUOTATION DIRECT FROM THE FACTORY