Alan Barnes sells home to move to Shetland Islands

Alan Barnes plans to sell his home in Gateshead to move to the Shetland Islands Credit: PA

A disabled man from Gateshead who was mugged earlier this year, has sold his home that was paid for by donations from well-wishers, in order to move to the Shetland Islands.

Alan Barnes, 67, has sold his two-bedroom home in Low Fell for £147,000 just five months after buying it for £150,000.

The pensioner was mugged by Richard Gatiss, 25, in January. People from all over the world donated more than £330,000 to a GoFundMe page set up in Alan's name by Katie Cutler, from Gateshead.

Alan Barnes used nearly half of the money he received to buy the house in Low Fell in April. In July, he decided to put it back on the market after receiving a "call from God" to move to the Shetland Islands.

Alan Barnes said his family are surprised at his plans to move to somewhere he has never been before but that he is not worried about settling in. Scottish MP Tavish Scott has already written to him to welcome him to the Shetlands.

A general view of the Shetland Islands. Credit: PA