AFTER waiting up to four weeks, it took only hours for 44 sets of indefatigable campers to snap up a row of neighbouring homes.

The dedicated homeowners are now finally celebrating getting onto the first rung of the housing ladder.

Thirty-two groups of campers gathered outside ex-Ministry of Defence homes in Rowner to be first in the queue when they went on sale.

At 9am on Friday there were 45 potential buyers waiting to look around the two-bedroom mais-onette properties in St Nicholas Avenue, Rowner.

By midday 11 had already been sold - at prices as low as £56,000.

By 4pm all 44 homes had been bought.

One couple who were relieved to sign on the dotted line were Paul Knight, 26, and his girlfriend Dawn Conduit, 29.

Only six hours after touring his new home, Mr Knight had bought it, at just under £60,000.

He said: "There was a lot of waiting, but it was good to get it all sorted in one day.

"I am really pleased - but after a week's camping it will be great to get home."

The civil servant, who currently lives in Great Gays, Hill Head, plans to move in to his new home next month.

He said: "What attracted me to the homes was basically the initial price and the initial payment payment of £100."

The couple coped with atrocious weather while under canvas.

He said: "We have met everyone who is going to be our neighbours. And everyone is really nice."

"But now I'm going to have a shower. Then I'll probably pop down to the pub to celebrate."