A FORMER Boltonian is offering would-be homeowners the chance of a lifetime – by raffling off his Grade II Listed country home for just £2 per ticket.

Dunstan Low bought the historic six-bed property in 2011, but has struggled to meet mortgage repayments since his business suffered a downturn.

Now the 37-year-old married father of two is hoping to sell 500,000 raffle tickets for £2 each in order to get the property off his hands and relocate his family to something more affordable.

“We were in dire straits with the bank and I’d given myself six months to sell it before I’d have to take the decision to give it back to the bank,” said Mr Low.

“I spoke to auction houses but they said it would be financial suicide to auction it. It’s not the type of quick-turnover investment that developers are looking to bid on. They’re more interested in properties in built-up areas that can be turned into flats, for example.”

Born in Kendal, Mr Low moved to Bolton as an infant, attending Church Road Primary in Smithills and Rivington and Blackrod High School.

Having moved back north to Kirkby Lonsdale he purchased the house, situated in village of Melling, Lancashire, as a repossession in 2011 for around £435,000.

“I initially told my wife that it just needed a lick of paint, but it became apparent that it needed a lot of work.

“There were rotted floorboards; rotten joists that we’ve had to replace.”

The Self-employed internet marketing expert spent 12 months and £150,000 bringing the home back up to standard, but a slowdown in his business reluctantly forced him to put it on the market.

It went on sale in December for £845,000, but struggled to attract any interested buyers and is now listed for £650,000.

“It’s been difficult and stressful. We’ve just not been able to get rid of it,” said Mr Low, who used to work at B&Q in Halliwell.

“One of the problems we’ve found is that there’s a limited market interested in this type of property in this area.

“People tend to be wanting to downsize, but in this house they’re faced with a property that’s cheaper but bigger than what they’ve previously had.”

The house dates back to 1797 and is thought to be part of the east wing of the former Melling Hall.

Renovated to a high standard, the property comes packed with modern conveniences as well as six bedrooms, two of which are en suite.

The raffle has had entries from Australia, Italy and the USA.

The entry fee is £2 per ticket and requires you to answer a question about the house via winacountryhouse.com, where details of the home can also be viewed.

People can also enter for free by 1st class post, with both paid-for and postal entries being treated equally.

The raffle and prize draw is being overseen by lawyers and if the full amount is not raised, or the house is sold on the market beforehand then the entry sums will go into a prize cash pot.

The closing date for entries is August the 1 2017 at 12pm.