Melsonby sub-postmistress Diana Garbutt was found dead in her home in March 2010. Her husband Robin was arrested three weeks later and was subsequently found guilty of her murder.

Unoccupied since the crime, the only shop in the North Yorkshire village, along with its attached living quarters, has now been sold on at a knock down price. 

In 2006 the couple had put the property on the market valued at £450,000 - but they later decided to stay. The three-bed house and shop was bought at auction for a bargain £130,000.

For would-be first time buyers who have seen prices rise by 12% in the past year, it seems that one option remaining to them is keeping an eye on the crime pages of their local paper.