A century-old tradition of reserving affordable housing has been preserved by a famous jam company.

Tiptree land owners Wilkin and Sons has provided land for Colne Housing and Iceni Homes to build 20 maisonettes for residents in the area.

Wilkin and Sons sold the Factory Hill site a few years ago to generate funds to improve and expand the factory and product range.

They have provided low-cost housing since 1885.

The £3.6million development will house more than 60 people.

Eight properties are available under the Government’s Help to Buy scheme.

The remaining 12 are being made available to people on Colchester Council’s housing register at an affordable rent.

It is part of the larger 126-home Nine Acres development being built by Crest Nicholson.

Joint managing director of Wilkin and Sons Chris Newenham said: “It’s great to see Colne continuing the Wilkin and Sons tradition of providing lower-cost housing for people.

“Wilkin and Sons has always been an integral part of the community and many of our staff live in company-owned accommodation surrounding the factory.”