WEST Londoners whose earnings aren't enough to enable them to buy a property on the open market have a chance to hear about shared ownership schemes at an event in Ealing today.

The Catalyst Housing Group is inviting people living and working in the Ealing, Brent, Hammersmith, Fulham and Hounslow areas to a New Build Homes open day at the Ealing Gateway offices opposite the police station on Uxbridge Road.

Visitors will be given details of properties available on a part-buy part-rent basis on four new developments across the area.

Applications from keyworkers, housing association tenants and anyone on the council housing list will go the top of the pile.

At the new eight storey Indigo development just off the Broadway in West Ealing, 23 flats are available for shared ownership spread across the top four floors. A 25 per cent share in a one bedroom apartment with a market value of £195,000 will cost from £48,750. A quarter share in a two bedroom flat with a full market value of a quarter of a million costs from £62,500. Joint equity buyers pay a subsidised rent for the remaining share plus a service charge but part-owners can increase their stake at any time after the first year.

The new Urbis development in the centre of Acton includes 18 one and two bedroom contemporary apartments for joint equity. The smaller flats are worth £210,000 on the open market and can be bought from £52,500 for a quarter share. Two bedroom apartments worth £245,000 cost from £61,250 for a quarter share.

Other developments with shared ownership opportunities include new mews houses on the Zn development off Kilburn Lane in North Kensington where the starting price for a quarter share is £72,500. The housing group also has 16 one and two bedroom apartments set aside for shared ownership with prices starting at £91,500 for a half share on the New Heights development in East Bedfont, TW14.

More details of the Indigo site in West Ealing are available on the website www.indigolife.co.uk and further details of Urbis in Acton are on www.urbisliving.co.uk Today's event is free and is open from noon until 6.