Landowner Bradford Council hopes to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds through the sale of the former ranger's cottage, to go into its efforts to nurse the fire-damaged Ilkley Moor back to health.

The minimum guide price for Silver Well Cottage is £300,000, although the auction reserve price will not be decided until 24 hours before the auction itself. It will not be made public until the bidding exceeds the reserve price on the night.

Some believe the cottage, complete with its outbuildings and 3.17 acres of land, could fetch as much as £500,000, despite there being no gas or electricity, and half of the roof is missing.

A large quantity of Yorkshire Stone roofing tiles were stolen the day after Bradford Council's Executive agreed to sell off the cottage.

Ian Briggs, of Dacre, Son and Hartley, says there have been plenty of serious enquiries about buying the property, which has appeared on regional television and featured in the national press.

He said: "We've had viewing days every Wednesday and Saturday and there's been a steady procession of folk coming along and a lot of interest."

Mr Briggs has stressed that the property needs extensive renovation and is not for amateurs' to try their hand at rebuilding.

"It will take someone with some experience to take it on but it will be a fabulous property at the end of the day," he said.

The cottage is being sold for use as a house, and as well as commanding extensive views of Wharfedale, the future residents could end up with the unique address of Ilkley Moor.'