A man who bought a house in Italy for under a pound after being inspired by a BBC property show says he has never been happier.

George Laing, 31, was inspired by BBC 1’s Amanda and Alan’s Italian Job, where the pair renovated a house purchased for one euro, to do the same in the pretty Sicilian village of Mussomeli, Sicily.

Under the 1 Euro Houses scheme, people can purchase buildings bequeathed to selected Italian councils for the symbolic sum of one euro. After buying the building, it is…