Ananova:

Ikea has built Britain's first flat-pack village.

And nearly all of the 93 timber-framed homes have been snapped up by first-time buyers, reports the Daily Mirror.

The new owners, who are due to move in next month, will not be facing a DIY nightmare as the homes have been assembled for them.

The 36 flats and 57 houses range in price from £90,000 to £160,000.

Ikea teamed up with building company Live Smart At Home, which provides affordable housing, to create St James' village in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

A spokesman for Ikea said: "We won't be selling to property investors. It's for people who haven't been able to get on the property ladder."

Live Smart boss Alan Prole, said: "We are really happy with what we have achieved here."

Ikea hopes to expand the project to 12 more sites across Britain over the next 18 months.