Agents refused to market dad’s home

SECOND World War veteran Eric Skelding, who turns 100 next month, owned Heath Lodge in Leicestershire and sold to HS2 for £640,000. The former Army officer, left, bought the bungalow with eight acres in 1970 and lived there on his own after the death of wife Andree seven years ago.

His chances of selling on the open market were blighted by HS2. His son Alain, 61, said: ‘Some estate agents refused to market it because there was no way anyone would buy it. It has been a stressful process.’