The increasing awareness of ecological issues has caused a surge in the number of people investigating building their own new homes, one body has suggested.

Build It Green, a specialist in the supply and construction of pre-engineered building systems, has stated that the surge in interest has been such that they have decided the reduce their marketing outlay.

Katherine Mitchell added that not only homebuilders but also hotels and housing associations have expressed interest in green building services.

She explained that, while Build It Green develops plans based on individuals ideas, for land already purchased by the prospective property owner, others are involved in the construction process.

"We purely supply the envelope of the building, the superstructure of the building," Ms Mitchell expanded.

"We will work in conjunction with a developer or a local builder. They will work around our system."

Meanwhile, BuildStore, another firm involved in the self-build market, suggests that choice, value, achievement and fulfilling a chosen lifestyle are among the advantages of building your own home.