THE key to the hidden fortune of Swin-don-born actress Diana Dors could be revealed now that her former home is on the market.

The Berkshire property, which has remained practically unchanged since her death 20 years ago, is up for sale for £1.5m.

Estate agents FPD Savills who are selling the house say they have already been inundated with people interested in buying the property.

Although it would be a Dors fan's ultimate dream, the estate agent thinks that the house, Orchard Manor, will be knock-ed down and redevel-oped.

Mike Ball, director of FPD Savills, said: "We have had a lot of interest in the property.

"We have had phone calls from people who are nostalgic about the history of it as well as people who are interested in it because of its potential to be redeveloped.

"I think it will be redeveloped.

"The com-mercial reality will supercede the nostalgia.

"I am com-fortable that the £1.5m price tag is a realistic price.

"The sort of price the place could fetch when redeveloped will be in excess of £3m.

"Other homes in the road that are smaller than this property and have less land have sold for around £3m."

Diana left her home-town of Swindon behind on her 15th birthday and went on to make her name as Britain's answer to Marilyn Monroe.

In the months after her death it transpired that not only had the Swindonian, who was born in Kent Road, left much of her wealth in secret bank accounts, but also that much of her jewellery was missing.

It is thought that both the cash and the valuables were hidden under the carpets at Orchard Manor.

Asked whether Diana's former home could contain the key to her hidden fortune.

Mr Ball says he is unsure. "I have been to the property and have obviously met the vendors," he said.

"They are not the sort of people to take things apart to investigate what lies beneath.

"They would be quite happy if someone takes it on who wants to redevelop it.

"The house is intact but very dated."

According to Mr Ball, many of Dors' original purchases are still in the house.

There are pink bathrooms, leopard skin fake furs draped over beds, an outrageous swimming pool and black marble Egyptian-style cats spouting water.

In spite of this, both the owner and the estate agent are hopeful that whoever buys the property will choose to forget the 1950s faded glamour and choose the new-build option.

The house has been used as the venue for a number of films and pop videos for the likes of Elton John, Cliff Richard and Blur.

Emma-Kate Lidbury