Jackson clan decamps to sleepy Devon village

The family of the pop singer Michael Jackson are assembling en masse at a rented four-bedroom house in Appledore, the sleepy Devon coastal resort best known for its troupe of Morris dancers. Why? No one is quite certain. Tito (right) and Jackie Jackson, who in the Seventies were integral members of the Jackson Five, were the first to arrive at the house, which they are renting for £1,200 per month. They have since been joined by their mother Katharine, 78, Jackie's son Siggy, Tito's girlfriend Claudia Lynx, and his sons Taj, Taryll and TJ. It is not known if Michael Jackson will be joining them.

A number of explanations for their presence have been proffered. One is that they are using the home as a base while they negotiate to buy a secluded piece of land in nearby Croyde, where they intend building a giant mansion made of glass. Another is that their move is a prelude to a Channel 4 reality television show. Last year Jermaine Jackson was a contestant in Celebrity Big Brother, which was filmed at Barnstaple, also in Devon.

Whatever the reason, the move has not escaped the attention of the world's media, who have descended on the village (population of 2,265). Says Matthew Ryan, managing director of North Devon Holiday Homes, who has provided the accommodation: "There has been a bit of a furore, with the odd press helicopter flying around. There are a lot of paparazzi and cameras about."

The locals appear pleased with their new celebrity residents. Yesterday some of them braved the media scrum to present the family with a hamper of local produce, which included a quantity of scrumpy.