low-rent housing block popular with the elderly in Hamilton.

And one of the owners, Ralph Marshall, also denied the story -- although he admitted he had heard the same rumour that ACE wanted the building to house staff.

He said earlier this week: "It is absolutely untrue, nobody has approached us. I don't want to sell it.

"Somebody mentioned this at lunchtime and I thought he was joking. I don't where this started. You had better to go to ACE.

"I am the major shareholder and I don't know anything about it. It is not for sale.'' Asked if it wasn't for sale at any price Mr. Marshall said: "Everything is for sale I guess, but we are not trying to sell it.

Mr. Marshall explained that most of his apartments were rented to senior citizens at very low rents.

He said: "My main thrust is to keep senior citizens happy.'' And a spokeswoman for ACE also denied the insurance giant was interested in the block on Woodbourne Avenue.

She said: "We are not interested in Mayflower Court in any capacity.'' HOUSING HSG