Snooker legend Jimmy White has said he is not leaving Epsom even though he has put his £700,000 house up for auction.

White, 52, nicknamed the Whirlwind for his skills on the snooker table, has lived in the town for 14 years.

Asked yesterday why he was auctioning his five-bedroom, gated home, in West Hill, close to Epsom station, White told the Epsom Guardian he is merely downsizing and that he will not be moving out of the area.

He said: "I’m not moving out of the area.

"I’m just downsizing. My two daughters are getting married and the house is too big for me and my son."

Your Local Guardian:

"I love Epsom. I’ve lived here 14 years," he added.

"I lived in Oxshott before and then I got divorced and came to Epsom.

"It’s got a friendly atmosphere."

FROM JANUARY 12, 2015: 'Cue Boy' Jimmy White slammed for parking on double yellow line in Epsom

White said he is heavily involved with the Epsom Club, based in Church Street, a private members’ club which has a snooker room with three full-size tables.

He also used to own the Epsom Snooker Club on Epsom High Street.

Your Local Guardian:

A spokeswoman for Cairds Estate Agents, also based in the High Street, said White's house, worth £725,000, has been on the market since January and "we don’t know why it hasn’t sold".

She said White only decided to put it up for auction at the end of last week.

The minimum asking price is £595,000.

The spokeswoman said: "He’s trying all the angles to get it sold.

"He is just moving on. His kids are all grown up.

"It’s a lovely Victorian style period property in the heart of the town centre which just needs a bit of TLC."

Your Local Guardian:

According to documents published by auctioneers Barnard Marcus, there is the potential to extend the house, which is on a plot size of 0.23 acres, subject to planning permission.

The house also boasts a conservatory, and a study but, perhaps surprisingly, no snooker room.

No date has yet been set for the auction.