THE countdown is on for house buyers wanting to spend the festive season in a new home - especially when it has all the character of a listed barn in a Hampshire village.

With only two clear months until Christmas, time is running out to make a successful offer, complete the legal work and book the removal van.

Naishes Barn, in the village of Newnham Green, could be an ideal present for someone who is ready to pay around £775,000 through agents Knight Frank.

The Christmas tree could go up in a beamed drawing room that has an inglenook fireplace inset with a wood-burning stove, and is overlooked by a small gallery.

The turkey could slowly cook in the Aga in the oak-fitted kitchen-breakfast room (pictured below) and be eaten in the dining room where French doors open to the half-acre of garden.

If the children get too noisy, there is a family room, a utility room where you can kick your boots off after a country walk and even an annexe for the mother-in-law!

The annexe has a sitting room, two bedrooms and a bathroom and is linked to the main barn by an open-fronted cart shed which has the potential to convert into more accommodation.

Naishes Barn is listed and dates from the 18th century. It was converted into a home in the 80s and has vaulted ceilings to the four bedrooms.

A galleried landing leads to the bedrooms, with the master suite featuring its own shower room. Another of the bedrooms has an en suite and study or dressing room, there is also a family bathroom.

Naishes Barn has a garden terrace and double garaging. It is on the edge of a village green.

Referring to the conversion, Mark Potter, of Knight Frank, said: "Every detail was carefully thought-out, with light oak windows, vaulted ceilings and beautiful exposed timbers."

In its first week the barn attracted 20 viewings from potential buyers.