EVERTHING may be bigger in Texas but for one couple their dream lay in a small Vale village.

Cathie and Archie Neill, who now live in Bretforton, decided to cross the Atlantic after 20 years in the state of Texas in the USA, and headed for the Vale.

The couple, originally from Scotland, were attracted to the area as it was close to their children but also said a lot of the villages unique offerings also drew them in, despite the fact they were the opposite to the Lone Star State.

They said: "After living abroad for many years, being close to our family and our granddaughters was important. Bretforton was within a reasonable distance of our son and his family, which was very important to us.

"We wanted to live somewhere with access to countryside as well, and were after a new build. Bretforton delivered on those aspects, and it’s great having so many lovely villages on our doorstep. We enjoy country walking, and are very fond of our local pub, The Fleece, which has a great community feel."

The retired pair, aged 68 and 69, opted for a Crest Nicholson home, which provided something they didn't have in Texas.

"The contrast between Texas and Evesham couldn't be more profound," they added.

"Currently Houston has a population of 2.2 million, our suburb in Cypress was on the edge of open Prairie, however with rapid expansion, we were quickly swallowed up in the urban sprawl.

"The landscape is totally different, which around Houston is totally flat. Not at all scenic, like it is around Bretforton.

"Things you miss living in Texas are the wonderful British villages and pubs, like we have around Bretforton. Bars in Texas are not the place to frequent, very few serve decent food.

"They just don't have the social ambiance, such as you would expect from the pubs we are spoiled with around Bretforton. All in all it was a wonderful experience living in Texas and like everywhere there are good and bad things. We are happy to be back in the UK and are getting acclimatised to the cold UK winters."