Carson home 'to become memorial'

Host Johnny Carson lived in Norfolk, Nebraska, until he was 18

The childhood home of the late Tonight Show host Johnny Carson has been bought by a firm that wants to turn it into a memorial to the US entertainer.

Carson lived in the five-bedroom house in Norfolk, Nebraska, from age eight to 18. He died last month aged 79.

Restoration firm Historic Properties bought the house from private owner Jim Pruett for an undisclosed sum.

"Our primary motivation here was as a tribute to Carson," said the firm's spokesman Cal Oren.

House renovated

Jim Pruett bought the home with co-owner Rick Runge for $150,000 (£78,500) in March 2003 and spent about $20,000 (£10,400) renovating it.

They offered the house for sale on an internet auction site and via a local estate agent, with the successful bid being made last Friday.

Historic Properties said it had no specific plan for the property but hoped to honour Carson. The Georgia-based firm specialises in restoring, preserving and operating buildings of historic significance.

Carson began his showbusiness career in Norfolk, performing magic under the name The Great Carsoni from the age of 14.

He went on to host the Tonight Show for 30 years. He died from respiratory disease emphysema in January.