A relative of a British media baron is believed to be eyeing the up-for-sale home of Bermuda's US Consul General.

Esmond Harmsworth -- a descendant of the brothers who founded the top-selling middle market UK tabloid, the Daily Mail, is understood to have expressed an interest in buying the multi-million dollar massive mansion.

The millionaire Englishman is a close relative of the head of the media empire's chief Viscount Harmsworth.

Yesterday US Consul General Robert Farmer declined to comment on specific inquiries about Chelston and its 14 acre estate in Paget.

But he added: "A number of people have expressed an interest but I am not at liberty to discuss that.'' Mr. Farmer, however, confirmed that individuals from both Bermuda and outside had been in contact with the US authorities.

He said: "Their interest is in what the price will be.'' Mr. Harmsworth runs the US arm of Associated Newspapers, the massive media empire which grew out of the Daily Mail, from a base in New York. He lives in Boston.

No-one from the US office or the London headquarters of Associated Newspapers could be reached for comment yesterday.

Mr. Farmer added that Chelston had not yet been formally put on the market.

He said: "We are working with the Department of State to select a realtor and attorneys to assist us in the sale.

"We need to establish a fair market value and so that's where we are just now.'' The Royal Gazette revealed last month that Chelston, home of successive US Consul Generals since the 1960s, was set to have a `For Sale' sign slapped on it.

The future of the house had been under threat for some time as the US government sought to cut costs.

Chelston was targeted by NBC in 1996 in a special report on the cost of the country's diplomatic service called "The Fleecing of America''.

And the US General Accountant Office last year fingered the house as part of a review of overseas properties.

Chelston was estimated in 1996 to be worth at least $12 million to the US Government, plus savings of around $100,000 in maintenance costs.

It is understood the house and estate, which includes a beach house and private beach, was gifted to the US government by American oilman C.P. Dubbs in place of taxes owed.

The news came as Mr. Farmer -- who officially finished his three-year term in August -- said he may stay on in Bermuda until as late as June next year.

He was due to be replaced before Christmas by new appointee Vin Gupta, a wealthy executive with American Business Information in Nebraska.

But Mr. Farmer said yesterday that the delay in the handover was due to the need for Mr. Gupta's appointment to be officially confirmed by the US Senate.

Robert Farmer Graphic file name: FATTY