THE lure of the Lion’s Den, once believed to have been the Herefordshire lair of a fabled big cat, is likely to bring a veritable pride of buyers looking for the ‘mane’ chance at a forthcoming sale.

Tales are still told about the ‘Lion of Bromyard’, claimed to have been kept at a large country house some 100 years ago. Next month a 19th century shepherd’s hut, thought to have once housed the mighty pet, goes on the market with a guide price of between £1,000 - £2,000.

Still largely in its original condition with cast iron wheels, the 150-year-old lot is likely to be pounced on by those who fancy a garden feature with a colourful history.

Ledbury auctioneers, John Goodwin, have done some delving into its past ahead of an auction at the Three Counties showground in Malvern on June 6. The Lion’s Den is likely to be one of the quirkier items on offer among a number of vintage tractors, agricultural machinery – including a stationary engine – ride-on mowers and furniture.

“It’s a fascinating story and suggests that the Lion of Bromyard actually existed,” says auctioneer Chris Maulkin. “There are tales told of the lion and whether it’s true or not, it’s a lovely back story.”

The substantial shepherd’s hut with original undercarriage and frame would have been used in the late 1800s for its original purpose.

“Then the lion took over,” says Mr Maulkin. “This would have been in the early part of the 20th century but he’s not about any more – he certainly wasn’t there when I visited.”

His researches have revealed that the lion was probably kept by an eccentric owner at a “big, old country house”. As a lion’s roar can be heard up to five miles away, the people of Bromyard would have been well aware of the exotic pet.

Mr Maulkin explains: “We first stumbled across the shepherd’s hut when the house was sold two years ago and it sat in a barn where the owner planned to do it up.”

Now the Lion’s Den is on the market once more and offers a slice of county lore, with the prospect of a “nice little summer project” to turn it into a desirable outdoor living space, says Mr Maulkin.