ONE of the world's most prized grouse moors was put up for sale yesterday - the Glorious Twelfth - with a multi-million price tag.

The moor, which is at present leased by one of the country's richest businessmen, has been put on the market by agents acting for its owner, Viscount Lambton. The asking price is £6m.

The Muggleswick Estate, near Edmundbyers on the County Durham and Northumberland border, covers 10,700 acres of freehold moorland and a further 1,067 acres of grazing land. The sale will include three farms.

"It is very rare indeed for a grouse moor like this to come on the market, particularly with freehold land," said Richard Murray Wells, of Smiths Gore, of York, who is handling the sale on behalf of Lambton Estates, of Chester-le-Street.

"It is fair to say that this is one of the top grouse-shooting moors in the country, with an international reputation. The shooting rights are much prized."

The moor was bought in 1966 by the present Viscount Lambton, who is a keen sportsman, and the shooting rights are leased by the former owner of a national retail chain living in North Yorkshire, who does not wish to be named. That lease expires in 2004.

In a statement on behalf of Lambton Estates, Smiths Gore's David Gray said: "The decision to put Muggleswick on the market has been taken because Lambton Estates intends to diversify and the sale of the moor will release significant funds to carry out this investment."

Included in the £6m price tag is a lunch hut for the use of sportsmen and their guests.

Another Northern grouse moor, at Knarsdale, near Alston, in Cumbria, was also put up for sale yesterday, the traditional start of the grouse-shooting season.

The asking price for this 15,000-acre stretch of moorland is about £5m.

The North Pennines - England's last great wilderness and the home of the red grouse - has become a playground for sportsmen anxious to shoot the game bird.