AN historic pub that was home to one of the North York Moors’ most enduring legends is to come under the hammer.

The old Saltersgate Inn, on the main road between Whitby and Pickering, will be sold at auction in London on May 26.

Dating back to 1648, it was once famed as a haunt for smugglers. It was said an excise man investigating the smuggling, was killed and buried under the peat fire – and as a result it was never allowed to go out.

Once a popular pub and restaurant, it closed towards the end of 2007 and was subsequently purchased in early 2008 – however the owner is now concentrating on other developments.

The property, which has a guide price of £50,000, is being sold subject to a 2008 planning application for redevelopment to provide a large hotel, restaurant and bar.

A spokesman for Allsop, which is marketing pub, said: "The property is currently in a shell condition with some preliminary building works carried out to date.

“It is offered with planning permission for change of use to provide a hotel with restaurant and bar and may also afford potential for redevelopment of the site or other uses, subject to obtaining all necessary consents.

“The Saltersgate Inn provides a rare opportunity to purchase a historic inn steeped in folklore."

The auction will take place at the Cumberland Hotel in London on May 26. For more information, go to auction.co.uk/residential/LotDetails