The former seaside home of film legend Peter Cushing has gone on the market for £1.4 million.

The Hammer horror star, who lived in Whitstable for the final 25 years of his life, appeared in countless films during his lengthy career, including Dracula, Dr Who, Frankenstein and Star Wars.

Visitors are often seen gathering outside his former residence near Island Wall on the town’s seafront to catch a glimpse of the blue plaque dedicated to his memory.

But last year, fans feared his legacy was not being protected amid claims the site had been left to fall into rack and ruin.

However, it appears extensive refurbishment work has taken place at site after the owner vowed to make improvements, and it has now been put on the market.

Estate agents Harvey Richards and West have dubbed the home one of "Whitstable's most recognisable properties in a picturesque beach-front position".

A listing by the firm states: "Three Seaway Cottages, located in Wave Crest, was the former home of the renowned actor Peter Cushing OBE.

"This well-known property is nestled in the heart of Whitstable's popular conservation area and tucked away at the end of Wave Crest.

"With wonderful far-reaching sea views, this picture postcard period home is offered for sale, chain free, and is one not to be missed."

The home is accessed down a "quiet pebbled private road", which the current owners of the Seaway Cottages use as parking.

A small white garden gate leads you into the front garden, which has a "beautiful herringbone patio area, perfect to sit and enjoy Whitstable's famous sunsets", according to Harvey Richards and West.

The listing says the two main reception rooms are open plan and "are extremely light and airy", a "spacious" kitchen/diner and a utility and laundry room - as well as a downstairs toilet.

Peter Cushing's former home is arranged across three floors and has "two extremely large" double bedrooms - both with sea views.

Last year, concerns were raised surrounding the building's run-down appearance.

Residents and visitors said they were left “disturbed” by its increasingly dilapidated state - with out-of-control plants obscuring much of the building.

Among them was neighbour Michael Bax, 60, who noted the home’s garden was in “poor condition and rather overgrown”.

Another local, Aysegul Coles, heard passers-by criticise the state of the site.

“Of course, it needs TLC,” the 57-year-old previously said.

“People come to see the house for Cushing, like Charles Dickens in Broadstairs.

“People love to look at it.

“I have heard conversations when people pass by, saying things like ‘I can’t see it because it’s overgrown’ and ‘it’s so sad to see it like this’.”

However, the claims were disputed by the building's owner, Francis Stirling, who said at the time the only work required was a paint job and preening overgrown plants.

"Work was delayed due to Covid,” he said.

“Unfortunately, I have also been ill so I didn’t want to engage in it but it’s entirely untrue the funds aren’t there to deal with the problem.

“It is not in rack and ruin at all. It is perfectly sound and it is in reasonable order. I still live there on and off.”

But Mr Stirling, who had lived at the house for about 20 years, pledged to tidy up the site.

“Work has already been sorted out which is supposed to be done imminently.

“I understand the importance of the building to the community,” he added.

“The work is not going to be extensive and the place is not abandoned.

“It won’t be drastic, but it will certainly be a difference.”

Cushing was a hugely popular figure in the town, well-known for having old-fashioned manners and a good sense of humour.

Although he has a Wetherspoon pub named after him and his own display at the Whitstable Museum, there were calls for the movie legend to be given more prominence in the town.

Whitstable Museum trustee Peter Banbury told how Cushing moved to the town as his wife had “delicate health”.

“To see the house in a dreadful state is disturbing,” he said last year.

“We have plans in the museum to revamp the display because we have film costumes and things in storage - and we want to put more out on display.”

“But I can’t see there is any way you can interfere in someone’s private house.”

Cushing starred in more than 100 films, including more than 20 from Hammer.

The 81-year-old died in 1994 at the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury.