Jackson property sale cancelled

By Rajesh Mirchandani
BBC News, Los Angeles

The items will now be returned to Michael Jackson

A planned auction of more than 1,000 items from the former home of pop star Michael Jackson has been cancelled.

Nearly 1,400 items from the singer's Neverland Ranch in California were due to go under the auctioneer's hammer next week.

But Jackson's production company sued the auction house to stop the sale.

A last-minute settlement means Jackson's belongings will now be returned to him. In response, he has dropped the lawsuit.

A public preview of the collection had already begun in Los Angeles and the exhibition of Jackson's possessions will stay open until the end of next week.

But many will be sad they will not get to own any Michael Jackson memorabilia.

The items that were to be sold included his famous crystal-encrusted white glove, a golden throne and the gates to the Neverland Ranch.

The sprawling property was Mr Jackson's home for many years. It included a zoo and theme park.

He left in 2005, after he was acquitted of child abuse charges in a high-profile court case.

Financial problems forced him to sell part-ownership of the property last year.