The half-brother of artist Tracy Emin is selling his home, complete with a private nuclear bunker.

Businessman John Emin built the shelter under his £1.5 million house in Balcombe, near Haywards Heath, at a cost of £250,000 in 1982.

The US and USSR bristled with nuclear weaponry and the Cold War had the world fearful of Armageddon.

Mr Emin, 59, said: "I built it as a business proposition not because I was scared for my life. But as a pragmatist I thought it might one day be used."

Comedian Bob Monkhouse and industrialist Lord Weinstock were among those who expressed an interest in the design during the Eighties.

Mr Emin even received visits from Home Office officials.

He said a place in the bunker had been reserved for half-sister Tracy, adding: "My whole family would have been given a place if it had been used.

"It is not something we ever discussed but blood is thicker than water."

The shelter includes a decontamination chamber, air filters and a 22ft by 20ft living space.

The walls are tiled and the floor insulated for warmth.

Mr Emin said the bunker could withstand a one-megaton nuclear bomb and protect against biological and chemical weapons.

He believes the Government would have commandeered the bunker if nuclear war had broken out. He said: "The Home Office said the design was very strong."

After the Cold War ended, people lost interest in nuclear bunkers. He sold only two copies of the design for £30,000, making a huge loss.

Mr Emin said: "It was not one of my best financial decisions but I would not change anything. It was really exciting designing and building the shelter. But I'm pleased it was not used in anger. I'm not upset there was never a nuclear war."

He is confident the bunker will sell, saying: "This is good security and you don't have to be weird or wonderful to want a place like this. The Beckhams have got everything but this, so if anything went wrong they would be in the same position as everyone else."

Mr Emin lives with wife Barbara, 57, and daughter Sarah, 30 at the house in Crawley Lane. He made millions from his drainage repair firm, started with £24 in 1966, and invented two valve systems.

Mr Emin said: "The house is too big and is crying out for a bigger family. I hope to find someone who wants the whole place and is willing to pay a little bit more for the shelter."

The property is being sold through Lane Fox estate agents of East Grinstead with a guide price of £1.5 million.

For more information, call 01342 326326.