residence.

Around ten interested parties have been shown around Chelston, with a view to purchasing the 14-acre estate, but it could take at least a year before any sale is finalised.

In the meantime Consulate staff are busy scouring the island for a suitable replacement property for current US Consul General Bob Farmer.

Spokesperson Sylvia Hammond said a handful of offers had been made for the Grape Bay Drive property -- which is estimated to be worth as much as $15 million.

Each serious offer has to be faxed to Washington and is viewed with much interest by State Department officials and the US Congress, she said.

"We have had some good offers and as they have developed we have sent them to Washington,'' she said. "It is a long process. It takes some time and any offers would have to be approved by Washington.'' The details and amount of any offers cannot be revealed, she added.

Sylvia Hammond said several replacement houses had been looked at on the Island and when a new residence is found, it is expected the US will buy rather than lease.

A possible sub-division of the Chelston site into smaller three to four acre sites has not been ruled out, but such a move would be unpopular with local environmentalists.