SELLING The Church at Wiston in Lanarkshire, above, has been the devil

of a job for its agents.

When it was put on the market in 1991 it featured in The Herald,

creating a flurry of interest.

A little while later it was sold -- or so it was thought -- until the

police informed the selling agents that it had been 'bought' by a

fraudster who was awaiting trial.

For his sins, he is now a living-in guest of Her Majesty. When the

cell door clanged shut, the property was put back on the market, a buyer

was found and missives concluded -- apparently without hitch.

But then it was time for confession. He was unable to complete the

deal.

The former church is once again available for an imaginative purchaser

looking for something just that bit out of the ordinary.

There is detailed planning permission to convert the building into a

four-apartment house with an open gallery at the first-floor level.

The setting, near Symington, is tranquil -- ideal for someone seeking

a contemplative life. The agent describes the woodwork as ''stunning''

and the stained glass windows as ''very fine''.

The property is being marketed by Edinburgh solicitors Rae Reid &

Stephen, who are praying for offers over #36,000.