Within hours of the modest terrace house in the Cregagh estate of east Belfast being put on the market, an anonymous female was shown around the dwelling by a property agent.

The property agent said they had received a number of enquiries about the house, initially valued at £165,000.

Meanwhile, family friend and east Belfast councillor, Jim Rodgers believes not every resident in the estate would be content with the former family home being turned into a museum in honour of the Northern Ireland legend.

However, speaking to the News Letter website Mr Rodgers said he would hope the plaque on the facade of the house would remain, no matter who should become the new owner of the property.

The former Manchester United player's address was the lifelong home for his 88-year-old father, Dickie, who passed away earlier this year.

The property is expected to generate high interest, despite the housing slump, beacuse of the George Best factor.

Best is likely to have played football in the back garden and even during the prime of his short career, often returned to his home at 16 Burren Way to visit his family.

George's sister, Carol McPherson shared a bedroom with her famous brother and expressed sadness the family's long association with the property was coming to an end.

"It was a very happy home and my father lived there for nearly 60 years, but we all have our own houses now and it was a stipulation of dad's will that the house should be sold on his death," she said.

Property agent, Templeton Robinson described the house as a "piece of Northern Ireland history".

George Best died in 2005 following a long battle with alcoholism.