Film and football hard man Vinnie Jones has been the centre of fevered speculation in a sleepy Sussex village.

The star of Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels has been spotted in Isfield, near Uckfield, prompting rumours he was interested in buying a £5 million mansion.

The former Wimbledon and Chelsea star is thought to have been one of a number of celebrities interested in buying historic Isfield Place.

The nine-bedroom manor house dates back to the 14th Century and has links with Henry VIII.

The estate is set in 300 acres of rolling countryside and woodland off the A26 between Lewes and Uckfield.

Selling points include its combination of rural seclusion and closeness to rail and road links to London.

But the price tag means only the fabulously rich will be likely to use the famous line delivered by Jones's Lock Stock co-star Jason Flemyng: "It's a deal, it's a steal, it's the sale of the ****ing century."

Andy Brooks, landlord of the Laughing Fish pub in the village, said: "There has been a lot of talk about Vinnie being interested in buying Isfield Place.

"There was also a rumour about another celebrity but it wasn't Madonna or anyone like that.

"Jordan has bought a house just up the road in Maresfield so it is obviously a popular area for showbiz people."

Dame Thora Hird once lived in Isfield and Roger Daltrey, lead singer of The Who, was famously refused a drink in the Laughing Fish when the then landlord took a dislike to him.

The village postmistress confirmed to The Argus customers had been talking about Jones buying the estate and agents Strutt and Parker confirmed several showbiz and sporting personalities had been to see it.

But the firm refused to disclose the names of the people who had looked over the property, which also boasts a swimming pool, croquet lawn and butler's cottage.

However, it did reveal the Grade II* listed property had been sold - but not to Jones or any of his celebrity chums.

Spokesman Mark McAndrew said: "Isfield Place has not been purchased by any of the high-profile names who expressed an interest in the property.

"It has been sold, subject to contract, to a businessman who is not a household name and who intends to make it his family home."

The estate has been home to city financier Andrew Tillard, his wife Sarah and their children who are moving to the West Country.

They have lived at Isfield for six years and have spent a small fortune restoring the estate and its buildings, which include an oasthouse and a timber-beamed barn.

Jones has recently taken the plunge into the music business and just released a blues and soul album called Respect.

He is due to sing on television with Martine McCutcheon on Sunday.

He was recently named best supporting actor at the New York Film Festival for his role in Night Of The Golden Eagle.

A spokeswoman for Pacific Artist Management, which represents Jones, could not confirm whether he had been to see Isfield Place.