A WINDMILL that has been the centre of a town's legend for generations will be sold for re-development.

Offers between £180,000 and £200,000 are being invited for Ferryhill Windmill, at High Hill House Farm, near Ferryhill, County Durham.

The building has been the subject of gossip in Ferryhill following a grisly murder at nearby High Hill House Farm, in 1683.

Andrew Mills, a servant at the then Brass Farm, butchered 17-year-old John Brass, his 20-year-old sister Jane and ten-year-old sister Elizabeth with an axe while their parents were visiting friends for a late Christmas celebration party.

Mills pleaded guilty to the three murders and was executed on August 15, 1683.

Legend has it that on New Year's Eve, the three Brass children can be seen dancing round the windmill.

Andrew Entwhistle, from George F White estate agency, in Wolsingham, which is selling the mill, said: "There are not many opportunities to convert windmills into homes, as most have either been developed or restored as working museums.

"The drawings passed for planning use the windmill's height to provide four unique rooms on four floors.

"The main living areas are in the base of the tower and you can imagine the views from the upper storeys."