Dracula's castle up for sale

Owners of Bran Castle in Transylvania, formerly owned by the 15th century prince who inspired the infamous Dracula character, are looking to sell the property for £40 million.

The local Romanian council is hoping to buy the castle, which attracts nearly half a million visitors a year, as locals fear that the site could be turned into a vampire-style theme park.

Dominic Habsburg, a member of the family that owns of the castle, told the Associated Press: "We are trying to find the best way to preserve the castle in the interest of the family and the people of Bran.

"The way of life cannot be returned and the restitution has come with financial sacrifice... we would like Castle Bran to remain a symbol of everything that is honourable and good in Romania."

It is believed that Romanian tyrant Vlad the Impaler, who owned the castle some 500 years ago, was the inspiration for Irishman Bram Stoker's epistolary novel.

The castle itself dates back to the 14th century and is surrounded by mountainous countryside, ideal for mountain biking and trekking.