COULD this be the Quantock's county house that Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp is rumoured to have bought?

Speculation that the Pirates of the Caribbean star is moving to Broomfield continued to escalate this week, with several sources claiming that Timbercombe House is his chosen location.

The Mercury contacted Depp's agent in the United States this week, but the company is staying tight-lipped and gave no response.

The £2.5million house is currently undergoing major renovation and extension work by Bridgwater building firm Pollard.

Sources from within the company say £3.5million worth of work is underway on building indoor swimming pool, tennis courts and stables, although the workers are said to be unaware of the owner's identity.

Pollard's specialist areas include country house renovations for private clients.

Spokesman Martin Blake said: "We cannot comment on the ultimate client. At the moment we do not know who is going to live there and we respect clients privacy."

The picturesque mansion home is set in a beautiful location, surrounded by trees and sheltered from the road - ensuring the privacy which Depp is said to enjoy.

It is also rumoured that Depp and his actress partner Vanessa Paradis have registered their children at Taunton School, although a spokesman the school said they could not comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, Depp's would-be near neighbour, Sue Honeyball, of Manor Farm horse trekking centre at Broomfield, is unruffled by the stories.

She said: "He would find it ideal here as we have no idea who he is - it makes no difference to us!"

Full planning permission for work on Timbercombe house was granted in January 2006, after an application submitted in December 2005 by a property company from Jersey.

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