IPSWICH actor Sean Blowers has returned to his roots by investing in a luxury bolt-hole on the town's waterfront. Sean, known to milliona as Sub Officer John Hallam in London's Burning, has bought a flat overlooking the town's fashionable docks.

IPSWICH actor Sean Blowers has returned to his roots by investing in a luxury bolt-hole on the town's waterfront.

Sean, known to milliona as Sub Officer John Hallam in London's Burning, has bought a flat overlooking the town's fashionable docks.

The TV star, who grew up in Ipswich, will use the fifth-floor two-bedroom two-bathroom luxury pad as a second home.

He said: "The Ipswich docks are set for huge changes over the next five years and we were looking to return to our roots.

Sean lives in Twickenham with his wife Shirley.

He added: "By purchasing Orwell Quay we not only got a fantastic property but also an entirely new lifestyle.

"We now spend our weekends sitting out on the balcony watching the boats go past."

The couple are also planning to buy their own boat, Sean said.

Gerry Pole, sales director for developers Persimmon Homes Essex, said: "Ipswich is becoming increasingly popular with people moving out of London.

"It is close enough to commute but the lifestyle on offer far surpasses the benefits of living in the capital."

A former student at St. Joseph's College, Sean was first introduced to acting while studying for his O Levels.

After school, he travelled in America for six months with a friend, doing various odd-jobs including carpet laying and swimming pool maintenance.

When he returned he got a job at the Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich. Sean went on to train at the Central School of Speech and Drama.

Sean has been in a number of other TV shows including The Bill, Crossroads, Minder, Doctor Who, A Touch of Frost, Holby City, and Dalziel and Pascoe.

Sean's character John Hallam was killed off in series nine of the hit show. As Hallam began to walk across a gantry, it broke away from the wall, leaving him dangling. He fell and later died in hospital.