Apparently not, was the answer today. Rumours that began on Twitter that the reclusive Hollywood megastar was buying a stately home on the outskirts of the village were just that, according to the agent in charge of selling the property.

Burnham Westgate Hall was described by Country Life as 'the most significant country house sale to take place in Norfolk in 20 years' when it came onto the market in June.

Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp was rumoured to be buying the �7m property, set in 38 acres of leafy grounds.

But today Louis de Soissons, of agents Savills, said: 'There's no substance to it at all, I'm afraid. It's completely unfounded.'

Mr de Soissons said the property had been viewed by a number of interested parties. But Mr Depp was not amongst them.

Three weeks ago, Twitter users reported Mr

Depp had been seen around the Burnhams. But like many of the celebrities who use the north Norfolk coast as a bolt-hole, he proved elusive when journalists set out on his trail. Assuming, of course, he was there.

Last night, users of the social networking site seemed certain he was buying the hall.

Mr de Soissons said there had been previous rumours linking Mr Depp to the area.

Capt Jack Sparrow - the character played by the American actor in Pirates of the Caribbean - would certainly have approved of the potential pied a terre.

For if he fancies splicing the mainbrace, the nearest pub is the Hoste Arms, named after the seafarer William Hoste, a friend of Nelson. And Horatio himself was born a stone's throw away, at Burnham Thorpe.

Nearby Burnham Overy Staithe could even have caught his eye as a possible berth for the Black Pearl.

Mr Depp was rumoured to be buying a property on the Norfolk/Suffolk border in 2007. But the Pearl sailed without dropping anchor.

Mr Depp could not be asked on Twitter. He does not reportedly frequent social networking sites. When asked why in a rare interview, the 48-year-old actor said: 'What is 'Tweeting'? I'm glad not to be part of it. I just want to go and read a book.'

Mr Depp, his wife Vanessa Paradis and their two children shun the limelight, spending much of their time at their villa in Plan de la Tour, a tiny village in Provence.

Yesterday photographs were published on fan sites showing the actor on location in South Devon, where shooting is under way for his forthcoming film Dark Shadows, a gothic horror movie in which he plays a vampire.