JUBILANT Jason Weatherby is today celebrating buying his dream home -- in a graveyard.

The 31-year-old from Kearsley outbid five other hopefuls to buy an unusual property in the middle of Farnworth Cemetery .

And his grandmother's grave is just beyond his front doorstep.

The two bedroomed Victorian property caused a stir as it went under the hammer at an auction held by Bolton estate agents Miller Metcalfe at the David Lloyd Leisure yesterday.

It was standing room only as curious bystanders crowded into the aerobic suite to listen to the auctioneer, Alan McNorton, sell a cluster of homes.

But it was Lot 20 -- Cemetery Lodge -- which was causing the most interest, especially to Mr Weatherby.

He said: "I was nervous and had sweaty palms. I'd never done anything like this before. I didn't even like it when I first saw it. It had graves around one side of it. I called it the house on haunted hill. "

However, Mr Weatherby, of Pilkington Road, Kearsley, fell in love with the strange dwelling when he stepped inside.

"It has all it own features," he said proudly.

Jason bought the house, which was previously owned by Bolton Council, for £62,000 after a flurry of bidding which started at £40,000.

The reserve price was £45,000 to £55,000. The property, built of stone and slate and set in its own grounds and gardens, includes a landing, two bedrooms, a bathroom, a hallway, a lobby, a lounge, a kitchen and two reception rooms. It also boasts a drive and space for a garage, although the property was said to be in need of modernisation.

Jason, who works for cable company ntl, was with his mother Pamela Pearse who said: "I wouldn't live in it especially as my mother's grave is right outside his front door. I couldn't sleep at night.

"It's not what I would call my ideal home. There are graves all the way around it. But I suppose you could put a high fence all the way around."

Mr Weatherby, whose father is a builder, hopes to make the boarded up old house his home and plans to live there with girlfriend, Lisa Eccles.

He added: "I'm not a builder, but I've done up my other house and that's what I intend to do here.

"I didn't realise that my grandma's grave was just outside the front door but it doesn't bother me. It gives it a family feel."

Judith Rands from Miller Metcalfe said that the property had caused lots of interest with more than 200 people being taken up to Cemetery Road for viewings.

She said: "I was surprised that it didn't sell for more."