A COMPANY which builds houses has linked up with The Good Schools Guide so it can provide prospective homebuyers with information on each area's primary and secondary schools.

Barratt Mercia says 32 per cent of buyers cite being near a good school as an important factor when they move house.

So now house-hunters can log on to the firm's website, type in a postcode, and get a list of local schools.

They can also access information about each school's pupil numbers and academic results.

Barratt Mercia's latest developments include Churchill Park in Scotia Road, Burslem.

And company sales manager Carole Ashworth said: "Schools are a major consideration when we buy land to build our developments. We understand parents want the very best for their children and that often it's the school that dictates where they live, not the other way round."