Vertigo Vincent has a head for heights!

CHEERS . . . Vincent Hall toasts the high life. Picture: Darren Robinson

VINCENT HALL is living the high life as one of the first penthouse owners in Oldham, despite having vertigo.

The retired youth and community worker lives five floors up in the new Victory Apartments in Union Street.

The development has the town centre’s first penthouse suites and Vincent’s boasts an outdoor deck commanding a panoramic view across Sholver, Moorside, Greenacres, Scouthead, Hartshead Pike, the Cheshire Plain and Werneth.

But the 66-year-old admitted: “I can’t go near the edge, but if I stand back a bit I am okay. And my grandchildren think I am a cool grandad because I am in a penthouse.”

Vincent is Oldham born and bred and previously lived in Holts Lane, off Abbeyhills Road. However, the large house and garden was too much for him following the death of his wife, Eileen, four years ago.

He is excited about the possibilities for transforming the town centre with the proposed Metrolink extension, leisure developments and more flats to attract families.

Describing penthouse living as a life-changing experience, he added: “I actually wanted to be in the town centre where things are happening and going on.

“I wanted some garden and the only way I could get that five storeys up is with a deck. I also wanted a view as well.

“I am quite pleased with it and I seem to be up here in splendid isolation. It’s peaceful and at night it’s lovely. It is like little fairy lights.”