He has denied it, his publicist has denied it - even local landowners say pop legend Robbie Williams is not moving to rural Sussex.

But try telling that to the people of Crowborough who keep seeing the multi-millionaire singer in the street.

Residents are preparing themselves to welcome the star as a permanent neighbour following numerous reported sightings and rumours he is buying a home there.

He has been spotted on foot with his entourage, cruising the streets in a £156,000 Ferrari and even shopping for groceries in Waitrose.

It is widely believed Robbie, who is worth an estimated £35 million, is about to put in a bid for 17th Century Rotherfield Hall on a 64-acre wooded estate between Rotherfield village and Crowborough.

Bar manager Mike Hewett at the village's Kings Arms said he had heard of a builder who had been in direct contact with the star who had told him which walls at the historic hall he wanted knocked down.

Robbie has denied he was planning a move from his home in the US.

His spokesman told The Argus he could not comment on whether the singer had been in Crowborough recently but said: "The rumours about him buying a house back here are not true. He's staying put in Los Angeles."

However, his assurances are falling on deaf ears, partly because it is known the star has a soft spot for rural Sussex. There have also been stories about him moving to Rye.

Robbie lived in a £7 million mansion in Kirdford, near Billingshurst, for several months in 2004 and thrilled villagers when he popped into the local Foresters Arms for a quiet soft drink.

The football-mad Port Vale fan even joined the local under-16s team for a match on the village pitch.

Mr Hewett said helicopters had been flying over the Rotherfield area and the information about Robbie buying Rotherfield Hall had come from a number of different sources.

He said: "Robbie hasn't been into the pub yet but he would be more than welcome.

"In fact, he's invited to come if he moves here."

Ken Woods, 63, who lives down the road from the estate in Tubwell Lane, has also heard the rumours.

He said: "There have been so many rumours that he's been in Crowborough - at the local supermarket, in his Ferrari, walking around with his minders -and nothing seems to have come of it."

Rotherfield Hall estate manager Igor Vaskao said he had been inundated with calls about the rumours. He said the property had not been sold and the stories were "rubbish".

He said: "I don't know where it's come from because it's untrue information. He hasn't been visiting us at all. I haven't seen him around but if I did I would be very pleased to shake hands with him."