Pop idol Gareth Gates has splashed out more than £500,000 on a secluded rural farmhouse for his family on the edge of Bingley.

The expanse of green fields that surrounds the luxurious home, pictured, is a far cry from parents Paul and Wendy's inner-city three-bedroom terraced home in East Bowling, Bradford, which they only finished decorating last year.

The teenage star moved fast to snap up the Yorkshire stone, 18th Century Grade II-listed property after its sale fell through, according to estate agent Dacre, Son & Hartley, which handled the transaction.

The farmhouse sits in 2.4 acres of grounds, including a paddock, and is surrounded by dry stone walls with panoramic valley views. Inside, there are six bedrooms, three bathrooms, a breakfast style kitchen, a study and a utility room.

Three reception rooms include a lounge with window seat, beamed ceiling, Delft rack and double doors through to the dining room with slate floor and a cross-beamed ceiling. There's also a sitting room with polished oak floor, stone recess fireplace and chimney breast with log effect cast iron stove, cross beamed ceiling and window seat.

But the family's privacy is guarded by electronic gates which protect a sweeping drive to get to the front door.

The Gates's arrival has already caused something of a stir.

Councillor Andrew Mallinson (Con, Keighley North), whose ward covers the area, said he hoped Mr and Mrs Gates and their children, who include 18-year-old pop star wannabe Nicola, would enjoy village life.

He said: "It's a boost for the area having a celebrity choose to relocate his family here. I hope they won't be recluses and that they'll enjoy rural life and all that goes on in the community."

Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton said it was great that Gareth hadn't forgotten his roots.

She said: "It shows dedication to his family and to his home district that he's bought this house. I hope they'll be very happy there."

Postmistress Kate McCormack said there was a lot of excitement about the Gates's arrival - but not much had been seen of them.

"Mums and children have been talking lots about it because Gareth's youngest sister Jessica has started school here. They'll all be trying to get invited to tea!

"I don't think we've had any of the family in to buy anything yet. I would have recognised Gareth straight away if he had. We're still waiting to say hello."

Villager Joe Driver, 13, who followed Gareth's hair craze last year and had it spiked, said he and his mates had been trying to guess which house the celebrity had bought.

But news of Gareth's move on the property ladder has already leaked out to some of his well-connected fans.

Teenage girls were spotted around the village peeping through windows of some of the biggest homes, desperately hoping for a glance of Gareth.

Emma Fennon, assistant manager at the local pub, said one of her friends had been sitting at home in her front room when suddenly three faces peered in through her window.

She said: "She went out to ask what they wanted and they said they'd lost their ball. She thought it was an unlikely story and later it turned out they'd been peeping through other windows around the village - obviously on the look out for Gareth."

Emma, 28, said she didn't think Gareth and his family had called in for a welcome drink yet.

"Having them in the village could be good for trade - except that most of his fans are probably under-age for drinking," she said.

Gareth's management team at London-based Henry's House were staying tight-lipped about his latest purchase.

"It's a personal matter for Gareth. The house is something he's bought for his family so it's not for us to comment on," said a spokesman.