WHEN retirement finally rolls around some people want nothing more than to put their feet up in their favourite armchair and allow themselves to settle into old age - they've worked hard and all they want to do now is kick back and relax.

But Southampton couple Patricia, 62, and Frederick Norwood, 75, couldn't think of anything worse.

After hitting retirement they decided to swap their slippers and cocoa for an exciting new lifestyle in France leaving their home in Brighton Road, Banister Park where they have lived for 22 years.

With the help of popular TV programme Everything Must Go, which arranges and films house clearance sales, they have managed to sell some of their excess belongings in a one-off sale.

Patricia says she has always been a fan of beautiful things and has collected a lot of china and furniture over the years.

But although it was heartbreaking to let it go, the couple knew that they couldn't take it with them and so they applied to the programme for some help in sorting it all out.

Frederick said: "It was quite a fun and busy day with the sale. We managed to sell some of our things."

Patricia said: "After the producers from the show came down to see what we needed doing they said they would be happy for us to go on the programme - which was great because we needed some help.

"We are starting a new life and I want to try not to buy any more expensive things in France and just focus on other things like looking after chickens - it's a completely different lifestyle."

Patricia and Frederick have bought a five-acre property with three houses in the Loire Valley and hope to move in by November.

They will occupy one of the houses and run one as a guesthouse.

Their daughter, Justine and son-in-law, Andy and their two grandchildren Sam, 11, and Amy, 13, will live in the other house as they will join them in starting a new life together.

They said: "We are both looking forward to getting out there. It is very exciting but at the same time it is quite daunting and we will miss all the friends we have made over the last 22 years very much.

"You never know if these things will work out but we will give it our best shot."

The programme Everything Must Go featuring Patricia and Frederick Norwood will be shown on October 7 on ITV at 2pm.