THE house in which railway pioneer George Hudson was born is up for sale at £250,000.

The 18th Century cottage at Howsham, near York, was where the city's railway king and his nine other siblings spent their childhood.

Edward Waterson, the estate agent handling the sale, said: "George Hudson was born in the cottage in 1800 and was one of ten children and his two parents to live there.

"The cottage is spacious and has three bedrooms, but it must have been a bit cramped with 12 people living under the same roof."

The family led an ordinary life until Hudson's great-uncle Matthew Bottril died, leaving him an inheritance of £30,000.

In 1833, Hudson was elected treasurer of the York Railway Committee and, using his political muscle, helped push through Parliamentary Bills allowing him to form the York and North Mid- land Railway Company, in 1836.

"He was a millionaire but his empire crashed around him amid allegations of financial wrong-doings," said Mr Waterson.

Hudson fled to France as his rich lifestyle crashed around him and he died a pauper in 1871, buried in a humble grave.

"Considering he came from fairly humble origins he led a very interesting life. He was Lord Mayor of York three times and was an MP," said Mr Waterson.

The cottage is a Grade II- listed period building which has been extensively restored.

There is an entrance hall, a sitting room, a dining kitchen, a utility room, a cloakroom, three bedrooms and a bathroom.

"There is no blue plaque up at the property yet, but I am sure any buyer would be happy if one did go up," said Mr Waterson