Dibnah home withdrawn from sale

Fred Dibnah died in 2004

The three-bedroom home of Bolton's famous steeplejack, Fred Dibnah, which was due to go under the hammer has been withdrawn over a boundary dispute.

The property, which has a mine shaft in the garden, was to be auctioned at the Reebok Stadium in Horwich, Bolton, with a guide price of up to £350,000.

Mr Dibnah, who became well-known after featuring in a BBC documentary, died from cancer in 2004, aged 66.

His house in Radcliffe Road, Bolton, featured in numerous TV documentaries.

Heritage plaque

Its gardens include Mr Dibnah's engine shed, workshops and a recently-developed mine shaft - complete with winding gear - which was only given planning permission after Mr Dibnah's death.

Alan McNaughton, from Miller Metcalfe estate agents, said that a dispute had arisen regarding the property's boundaries and that the lot had been withdrawn following legal advice.

He added: "It's greatly frustrating for all concerned because we've had a lot of interest in the sale of the property.

"We've been advised by a solicitor to withdraw the lot while the boundary dispute is rectified and we hope to re-offer the property for sale in January."

The house, which boasts a blue heritage plaque, was built in 1851.

The property is now expected to go to auction in January

Mr Dibnah, a father-of-six, started work as a joiner but, after completing his National Service, fulfilled his dream to be a steeplejack servicing the hundreds of chimneys that once crowded the skies of Bolton.

His first appearance, on a local news programme in the north west of England, led to his discovery in 1979 as he hung 240ft (73m) off the ground, repairing Bolton's town hall clock.

Mr Dibnah was a great admirer of the Industrial Revolution and the Victorians - steam engines were his greatest passion.

He was made an MBE in 2003, a year after he demolished his last chimney stack.

The auction begins at 1400 GMT.