THE million pound estate of a remarkable Lakes woman is providing much-needed affordable homes in Grasmere.

Joan Nicholson - who served at legendary code-breaking Bletchley Park - was determined to help homeless families in the village.

But, in keeping with her wartime service, she kept her plan secret from everyone.

The first anyone in the village knew about her legacy was at the reading of her will after she died, aged 87, last year.

Now, in the first phase of a housing project, the keys to her former Grasmere home are being presented to a local couple.

Tomorrow, trust president Lord Inglewood will hand over Cragfoot Cottage to Mark Broomhead, 45, and Lisa Timpson, 36, whose family have lived in Grasmere for six generations.

The pair, both in business in the village, had struggled for years to find a suitable place at an affordable rent.

They said Miss Nicholson’s legacy had ‘made a dream come true’.

“It’s almost impossible to find somewhere to live. Locals have little or no chance of staying in their home village as rents and property prices are sky high,” said Lisa.

“We had been living in a tiny, ex-holiday let, so beautiful Cragfoot Cottage and its stunning garden are unbelievable. We are incredibly lucky.”

Father-of-two Mark runs his own painting and decorating firm and employs two local people.

He has lived in Grasmere for 27 years.

Lisa owns Lime beauty rooms at the Wordsworth Hotel and has a girl from the village working with her.

She said: “It was very important we stayed in the village, but it was looking unlikely with affordable housing being virtually non-existent.

“Local communities are losing their traditional values and people are having to move away from their home villages and families.

“Community spirit and local people are becoming a rare breed, which is why the housing trust’s work is vital.”

A link with Miss Nicholson comes courtesy of an old sideboard found in a garden shed, now restored and given pride of place in the house.