Woman whose house listing went viral after pictures of bizarre life-size dolls reveals real reason for buying them

A woman whose house listing went viral online after bizarre pictures showed a life-size doll sitting on the sofa has now revealed the real reason for buying them - and people's desperation to become their new owners.

Fallon Jerome, who lives in the two-bed house for sale in Blackley, was left dumbfounded by the reaction to the listing and told of how they actually own two of the mannequins that they have become 'very attached to'.

There had initially been speculation on Twitter that the female mannequin, seen sitting under the stairs in fishnet tights, a red dress and heels, was a sex doll. However, owner Fallon has revealed they were actually bought to deter opportunists from burgling the house when they went on holiday.

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In true Home Alone style, the two mannequins, named Harper and Hunter, are dressed up in festive jumpers during the Christmas season and are sat reading a magazine or with dummy cigarettes in their hands to appear even more lifelike.

Fallon, who lives at the property with her nana, said the family first bought the life-size dolls after Noel Edmonds admitted he used to take a figure named Liz with him in the back of a taxi to the set of Deal or No Deal to prevent people flagging him down.

The 30-year-old said: "We used to have a caravan and the house would be empty for weeks. Noel Edmonds had a doll and it gave us the idea to put them into the house so that when people peered through the window, they thought we were in.

"We have had them reading magazines or even sitting in the conservatory having a cigarette. We have a reborn doll and sometimes we have her holding baby and normally sit them both in the conservatory for people passing