The three-bedroom property in Radcliffe Road, Bolton, UK, had a guide price of £250,000 to £300,000.

Alan McNaughton, from Miller Metcalfe estate agents, started the auction at £200,000 but then dropped to £130,000 to try to get the bids going.

After the auction, Mr McNaughton said: “I am very surprised about Fred’s house not selling today, the estate needs to be wound up and this chapter in Fred’s life needs to come to an end.

“I felt we had the right number of bidders here today and the right sort of people with cheque books.

“Unfortunately the environment, the atmosphere and the current climate wasn’t right for them.” Fred’s home was not the only property that failed to attract a single bid.

The property, which dates back to 1851, is still for sale and comes complete with his tools and steam engines. The property includes a working mineshaft and steam-powered workshop.

Mr Dibnah, who became a TV personality, died from cancer in 2004, aged 66.

Posted: 09|5|08 at 9:56 am. Filed under: UK News.