Yours for just 1 euro: The bargain Sicilian houses overlooking the Mediterranean

Eccentric Sicilian mayor Vittorio Sgarbi came up with the idea in an effort to revitalise the historic town centre of Salemi in the south-western region of the island.

And you ask: 'What is the catch'? Many of the properties are barely standing, and in dire need of renovation, following a destructive earthquake in 1968.

Bargain: How would you like a house in Salemi, Sicily for €1?

But anyone willing to spend at least €100,000 (£80,000) on structural repairs could become neighbours with the likes of Genesis singer Peter Gabriel and Inter Milan football team president Massimo Moratti, both of whom expressed interest in the one euro villas.

Owners will have two years to restore the house in keeping with its original character.

Mr Sgabrbi, an art critic and former culture minister in Silvio Berlusconi's government, is a regular on late-night TV panels and is often at the centre of controversy because of his outspoken views.

He told newspaper Corriere della Sera of his plan for Salemi saying: 'We're thinking of people who have the sensibility and economic resources to embark on this adventure.

'In exchange for a token payment of one euro we will offer them one of these houses and ask that they undertake to restore them within two years while respecting their original characteristics.

'We have had a lot of interest people are already booking up to come down here - my aim is to make Salemi the next Pantelleria.

'These houses abandoned for 40 years are like a heart pierced by a thorn - they are dangerous but they also represent a patrimony that is slowly dissolving away.

'We want to try and attract people back to the town or at least make some form of donation to try and help save an architectural environment that we are rapidly losing.'

However, according to Corriere the project is far from being finalised.

The tiny volcanic island of Pantelleria, off the coast of Sicily, is a popular celebrity haunt, with previous visitors including Madonna and Naomi Campbell.

Salemi has a population of 11,436, and is near Trapani, about 50 miles from Palermo, deep in Mafia country.

It is historically known for having been the place where Giuseppe Garibaldi announced the annexation of Sicily in May 1860 as part of the expedition of the Thousand.

Mr Garibaldi made the town his headquarters and the Italian capital for one day after his landing at Marsala.

The town has been ruled by the Romans, Vandals and Goths and then the Arabs which gave it its current name of Salem, meaning peace.