A converted bomb shelter, appropriately named Dunbombin, is set to the blast the property market.

Few people realise the secret past of what appears to be a smart ivy clad bungalow in Manor Road, Worthing. Only the name gives it away.

The bungalow with its intriguing post-war history is causing quite a stir after being put up for auction with guide price of £140,000.

It is thought to be the first converted bomb shelter to come on the market in Sussex for such a sum.

With a lounge, kitchen, dining room and a bathroom, 2ft thick walls and a reinforced roof, it was built to withstand the force of any bomb or even nuclear attack.

Its current owner, Ian Cunningham, 52, a broadcast engineer, has spent three years caring for the property and now wants to sell.

He said "You would never believe it was a bomb shelter. It just looks like a little cottage with a flat roof.

"Inside, it is homely, except that the walls are very thick. People are surprised when I tell them it was originally a bomb shelter.

"I just want someone to buy it who will take care of it. It's a lovely place."

The property has its own gardens and fits snugly into the neighbourhood.

Dunbombin was built as a bomb shelter in the garden next door, probably during the Second World War.

Mr Cunningham said: "It's quite unusual because shelters were usually small and built underground.

"We don't know why the family needed such a large shelter."

The property lay derelict for a while until it was used as a music room for band practice and then a granny flat.

Peter Martin, of Fox and Sons in Western Road, Brighton, who is conducting the sale on September 6, said: "This is the first time I have ever known a bomb shelter or a converted bomb shelter to come up for auction.

"Already there is quite a bit of interest.

"It could be bought by someone local who wants a small home in the area or someone who wants a holiday home."

The last bomb shelter to go under the hammer in Sussex belonged to the half-brother of artist Tracy Emin.

Businessman John Emin sold his £1.5 million house in Balcombe, near Haywards Heath, last year complete with private Cold War nuclear bunker.

Mr Emin had built the shelter in 1982 at a cost of £250,000.

Meanwhile, an old coach house thought to have been built for a former mayor of Brighton is up for sale by auction on the same day with a guide price of £95,000.

The property at 129 Elm Grove currently has a shop frontage. It is only 8ft wide in places and has Victorian spiral staircases with views over Brighton.