HOUSE-buyers are becoming far more environmentally aware, according to a leading Worcestershire law firm.

Chris Bovey, head of conveyancing at Morton Fisher Solicitors, said more and more homebuyers were insisting on having an environmental search of the area surrounding their proposed new home.

"Traditional searches will only give you so much information, such as rights of way and where specific boundaries lie, but if you want to know more about the area surrounding your property, an environmental search is a good idea," said Mr Bovey, who is partner in charge of residential property.

He said the searches showed what was current or planned within a 250m and 500m radius of the specified property.

"This can show up a whole range of factors that might affect your decision to purchase - or give you peace of mind in order to proceed."

The searches cover landfill buffers, waste management transfer, regulated air pollution, storage of hazardous substances and whether there are masts or pylons nearby, among other things.

"All these topics have been the subject of controversy in recent years, and it is as well to make as many checks as you can before embarking on what will almost certainly be the biggest investment of your life," said Mr Bovey.