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Prospective buyers will have to kiss goodbye to 1.5 million pounds in order to buy the historic home of Admiral Lord Nelson's deputy Thomas Hardy that has come up for sale.

Portesham House was home to Vice-Admiral Hardy up until 1807, two years after he had sat at Nelson's deathbed during the Battle of Trafalgar.

As the naval hero lay dying after being fatally shot, he is said to have famously uttered the words 'Kiss me, Hardy,' to his long-time friend.

The Grade II listed, 500-year-old house is set in 1.2 acres of land in the quaint Dorset village of Portesham, where Hardy's family owned an estate.

The village is overlooked by a 65ft monument of Hardy, one of Dorset's most famous sons alongside legendary author Thomas Hardy, who was no relation.