English people seeking asylum from the high house prices in the UK are selling up and flocking to Northern France. Many French locals aren’t happy, especially as it is inflating the cost of houses in areas popular with the roast-beef scoffers from across La Manche. In a small area in Brittany house prices have risen to three times their value. Young French people are forced to look out of town for affordable housing.

The subsequent protests have included the burning of estate agent brochures in the streets. Of course, many of the English property owners won’t have been around to see them ablaze as they don’t live there. Oh no, these are second homes, or third perhaps. Or buy-to-lets.

Here at Blighty we are sympathetic with the local population. Who could not be? There are already many places in the UK that have a schizophrenic existence. Swarming with holidaymakers in the summer months but deserted out of season, the community spirit sold-out to fickle tourism. Of course, it is the locals who are selling property to the incomers but people can’t resist making a quick Euro, whatever their nationality.

We think that the English people wanting to make a home in France should be distinguished from the second-homers and buy-to-leters. But we hope that they have a go at learning the language rather than resorting to shouting. The French are already peeved as it is!