If it hadn’t been for bumping into a friend, David Kellett and his family might never have spent the last five years living at their stunning home in Wibsey.

“I was brought up about 20 metres away, when it was a farm building with chicken runs and pigs in the garden. I moved away and then found that a friend had acquired it at auction.

“When I saw him one evening, I asked if he would consider selling, and because a place in Oakworth that he wanted had come up for sale, he agreed.”

It’s easy to see why David wanted this home for his wife Elaine, son Jordon, 17, and 13-year-old Alicia, because not only had his friend Jason done all the renovation and restoration work to the farmhouse, which is more than 100 years old, but there was an empty barn building which David thought would be ideal as an annexe for his parents.

“The building didn’t have electric or running water, but mum and dad were thinking of selling up, so we converted it into a one-bedroom annexe with a good-size lounge/ kitchen with exposed beams, French doors and a modern range of kitchen units.

“It also has a bedroom with laminate floor, and a shower room with a double shower cubicle. It also has its own garden.”

The rest of the house isn’t too shabby either, with spacious rooms over three floors. On the ground floor are a lounge, breakfast kitchen, utility room and cloakroom.

There’s a second reception room on the first floor, plus a master bedroom with large en-suite bathroom and a further bedroom, with three more double bedrooms, and a family bathroom on the third floor.

“We were really lucky because Jason had done a fantastic job, especially when you consider that when you stood inside and looked up, you could see the sky through the holes in the roof.

“Since we moved in just over five years ago, we’ve decorated throughout, tiled the en-suite and put a new suite in, landscaped all the gardens, put on the decking and done the annexe.

“The house is full of character with beams in many of the rooms, the old fireplaces in the kitchen and the living room, and varnished floorboards in two of the bedrooms.”

The kitchen would delight the heart of any enthusiastic cook with a range of modern wall and base units, range-style gas cooker set in the chimney breast, an integrated dishwasher and fridge, breakfast bar, and those lovely exposed beams.

“The downstairs living room is my favourite room. Get a fire going in the wood-burning stove when it’s cold outside, and the room has a lot of charm to it.”

Outside there is a large lawned garden at the front with an elevated decked area and extensive views.

“We can see all over Bradford – from one side to the other,” says Andrew.

The house is on the outskirts of Wibsey, overlooking Scaley Hills, in an area of green belt land stretching from Bankfoot to Odsal and round to Wibsey, so it has a very rural feel, which is ideal for a family.

“When the weather is right, we spend a lot of time sitting out on the deck or doing jobs in the garden. In summer it’s brilliant because we get the sun until the early evening, and we’ve got lighting so we can stay out as long as we want.

“A lot of wildlife visits, as well – foxes, rabbits, squirrels and bats. It’s brilliant.

“I’m really going to miss everything here – the space, the size of the garden. My parents are going to miss it too. They’ve loved living here and it’s been great for us, because they make our tea through the week, but they’ve decided to move to the coast.”

This property in Chapel Street, Wibsey, is on the market for £340,000 with William H Brown, Bradford, tel (01274) 309795.