The auction of a derelict Elizabethan castle in south Wales has been called off at the eleventh hour.
The crumbling ruins of Llantwit Major Castle - also known as Old Place - have been unoccupied since the 18th century.
Potential buyers from over Europe were interested, but the sale was halted after Cadw - responsible for listed buildings - asked for more talks.
Local legend says it is haunted, including by a Dutch sailor who lived there in the 17th century.
The 16th Century castle was built in 1596 by Griffith Williams of Candleston for his son-in-law Edmund Van.
It is thought it was abandoned as a house in the early 18th Century, and later fell into ruin.
"Selling it is one thing, but selling it to a genuine person who will restore it is another"
The castle - a Scheduled Ancient Monument (Sam), and Grade Two listed building - was due to go under the hammer on 3 April at a guide price of between £5,000 and £15,000.
But the auction was called off after Cadw, the statutory organisation responsible for ancient monuments and listed buildings in Wales, called for more talks on its future.
The roofless castle had attracted interest from potential buyers all over Europe.
Rob Renee of website Llantwit-major.net said the site had received 6,000 hits in the past two weeks alone.
Llantwit Major councillor John Redmond said he was glad the sale had been postponed.
He explained: "Selling it is one thing, but selling it to a genuine person who will restore it is another.
"Whoever does acquire it is a very brave person. From the day they acquire it, they will have to pay between £2,000 to £3,000 to insure it.
"I feared it would get sold to someone with a lot of money who was not interested in the conservation of the place, and I think perhaps that was the reason for Cadw stepping in."
Mr Redmond said the castle was in poor condition and had proved to be something of a "magnet" for children.
He said: "It's in a shaky condition, everyone know that. It certainly needs making safe."
Vale of Glamorgan Council leader Jeffrey James expressed his disappointment the castle had been withdrawn from auction.
He said the council would be discussing options with Cadw before proceeding further.
A Welsh assembly government spokeswoman said: "As a scheduled ancient monument the castle is protected by law and its owner would need to consult with Cadw before selling the building.
"In this case the council did not contact Cadw until March."
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