THE selling of Knaresborough's famous House in the Rock has brought some tears - and it may be all too much for someone who once lived there.

Town crier Nancy Buckle called the house home on and off for 30 years, and now she is considering emigrating, following its sale to Pateley Bridge antiques dealer, Andre Gora.

Miss Buckle, 57, was hoping it would be bought by a trust set up by Knaresborough residents, and kept open to the public. She says she has heard it will only be opened a few days a year.

She said: "I know this is a loss to the heritage.

"Mr Gora's got plans for it and he seems fairly interested in history, but it's only going to be open for one or two days a year.

"I've been town crier for two-and-a-half years, and the reason I've resigned is because I intend to leave Knaresborough.

"It's been wonderful - I've enjoyed every minute, but I feel now the time has come to leave."

Miss Buckle said she has relatives in Canada and Cambridge, and she has not yet decided which she will go to live with.

The four-roomed rock house, which had been on the market for £100,000 for almost three years, attracted a grant for recent restoration from English Heritage during which time Miss Buckle moved out to live in a conventional property nearby.

She had hoped to return and run it as a tourist attraction.

She said: "It's a shame because people still travel along the abbey road wanting to get in and a lot of people are upset."

Although born in Harrogate, Miss Buckle has lived in Knaresborough most of her life and it was her great- great-great- great-grandfather, Thomas Hill, who built the house in 1750. It is now a Grade II listed building, still clinging 100ft high above the rock face overlooking the River Nidd.

Miss Buckle said: "I am not happy with the situation, I have to say. I don't think it will be like the house that Thomas Hill built. I think it could change tremendously and that is sad for Knaresborough because it's a question of losing some heritage."

Mr Gora was contacted for his views, but was unavailable for comment.