MONEY raised from the sale of a National Trust-owned house which goes under the hammer today should be spent in Silverdale, say some residents.

Professor Peter Yates, who lives on Shore Road, believes that the village should benefit from the proceeds of the auction of a detached Edwardian-style country cottage called Levensfield, which stands in a much sought-after area on Lindeth Road.

The house and grounds are to be sold at a public auction in the Gaskell Memorial Hall, Silverdale, this afternoon.

Prof Yates said the man who used to live at the cottage - Frank Hayton - bequeathed the cottage to the National Trust in his will.

"The funds from the sale will go into the general coffers of the National Trust," said Prof Yates.

"I think it is quite inappropriate; they should not be selling it.

If it's to be sold at all then the benefit should revert to Silverdale.

The money should stay here and be used on the quite large number of properties in Silverdale itself."

It is a view shared by Mike Ford, also of Shore Road, who is concerned that the land will be bought by a property developer.

However, auctioneers and estate agents Michael Hodgson, of Kendal, confirmed that a restrictive covenant is in place preventing any more houses being built on the site.

Dr John Findlater, who lives nearest to Levensfield, said he was sure that Mr Hayton would have been upset that money raised from the sale of the house was not to be used locally.

"When a legator leaves money or other property to the National Trust without informing us of a location or purpose for the money to be spent on, the Trust is obliged to assume that the legator wanted their legacy to be used wherever the money is most needed in the Trust," said the Trust's assistant marketing and communications manager, Shona Owen.

"In this instance, no location or purpose was specified, and the money from this legacy will go to the National Trust's general fund, providing money to specific projects and acquisitions across England, Wales and Northern Ireland."

She also pointed out that during the last two years the Silverdale area has benefited with £300,000 being used to buy Heald Brow and more £100,000 being spent on Bank House Farm.