A bank manager has branded feng shui a "load of old bunkum" after a couple refused to buy an East Morton house because it received a damning report from an expert in the Chinese philosophy.

Dave Marsden, 33, who lives in the same street, spoke out after it was revealed the original sale had fallen through on the £100,000 terraced cottage. It was later snapped up by Clare Shuttleworth, 28, and Andy Snape, 31, who, ironically, have had nothing but good luck since moving in.

Mr Marsden said: "If you're into feng shui that's your problem. I just think it's a load of old bunkum but it's amazing how many people you talk to who put some store in it these days. We're the third lot in this house in four years and I think the people we bought from were having financial problems which is why they had to move - but that's just life and nothing to do with feng shui.''

Another neighbour Giles Bateman, 34, said he had lived in his house for three years with no problems at all, adding: "Feng shui is used all the time in places like Hong Kong where it's part of their culture but I don't think it's applicable in western society. I love living where I do - it's a great house and I've got great neighbours.''

Luckily, Miss Shuttleworth, who works for a Bradford environmental consultancy, and her partner, a building surveyor, are not believers in feng shui. They say their home, which has a stream at the end of the garden and beautiful views, is perfect. Since moving in they have enjoyed a modest lottery win, had good job offers, seen the house's value rise, and made some good friends.

"Everyone is slightly superstitious, but to me, they went a bit OTT," Miss Shuttleworth said.

"Having the place feng shui'd is a bit strange. This is a very natural place to live - it's in the countryside. Saying the feng shui is wrong doesn't make sense to me. We just feel so lucky to be here because lots of people were after this house."

Dawn Hermes, manager of William H Brown's Ilkley branch, said: "It's not particularly common but I've known of a few clients who've had a feng shui survey done or a house dowsed although I've never heard of anyone pulling out of a purchase because of the results."

Graham Dickinson, of Gomersal-based Graham Dickinson Associates Architects, designed the house which is part of a row of six built on the site of former mill workers' cottages which were demolished when they began sliding down the hill. He said: "You can't pooh-pooh something you know nothing about but I do find it rather strange because they're delightful houses with super views."

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