THE "house of horrors" where York pensioners James and Joan Britton were murdered by crazed Mark Hobson is once again up for sale.

The detached family house at 453 Strensall Road, Towthorpe, is being marketed with York estate agency Otisdale.

The four-bedroom house is on the market for £425,000 and has already been the subject of more than a dozen inquiries, the agency today said.

In July 2004, it was the scene of a horrific double murder when the bodies of James, an 80-year-old retired British Rail surveyor, and his 82-year-old wife Joan were discovered.

The couple, who had been married for more than 50 years, had been stabbed and beaten, according to police.

Former dustman Mark Hobson, 36, was found guilty of the murder of the couple and also that of twins Claire and Diane Sanderson, in Camblesforth. He was jailed for life.

The murders had sparked a massive nationwide manhunt in July until Hobson was found near Shipton-by-Beningbrough a week later.

The Strensall Road house has landscaped grounds stretching as much as two to three acres. It also has a double garage, large driveway as well as a sitting room, dining room, lounge, bathroom and bedroom kitchen.

The house was originally bought in early 2005 by a York businessman, who rented it out. The Press reported, in August 2005, how then tenants Rafal Misztal and Dominik Grzybek were unaware their home was the scene of the grisly murders. But Otisdale's Lee Wray, York branch manager, said he did not believe the property's horrific past would have any bearing on interest or the eventual sale price.

"We were aware of the property and what happened there," he said. "But we have had 12 to 15 inquiries and it has not been advertised yet.

"It's a house where that (what happened) won't make a difference to the price.

"It is a really great property and its history will not make a difference.

"We have had a doctor look at it who was considering turning it into a practise, so it can be a lot of different things."