Bivona, with a population of around 4,000, is one of more than a dozen Italian towns which have slashed house prices to attract incomers.

However, mayor Milko Cinà believes his hamlet has an advantage because they “decided to throw in tax cuts as well”, The Times reports.

Mr Cinà said: “We are offering 30 per cent off rubbish, water and property taxes, a discount of €400 a year for a three-bed house.”

There have already been 4,000 inquiries about the ten advertised houses, he added.