A new breed of tenant has emerged - the property guardian looks after unused buildings to deter squatters.

Camelot Property Management has thousands of empty properties on their books in Britain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Landlords prefer to have someone living in their property when it is empty and it is also a cheaper option than using a security company.

Tenants typically pay Camelot around £55 per week. In return the guardians keep an eye on the place and report any repairs that need doing.

Manchester Square fire station served the fire-fighters of London faithfully for more than a century. It closed in 2005 due to rationalisation.

Lucy Pook, one of a growing number of property guardians, said: "I would say definitely its a really great experience but you do have to be prepared for having to put a lot of effort into making the place nice - you can't just move in somewhere and it's wonderful."

Jules Heron of Camelot Property Protection said the company's portfolio does not stop at fire stations: "We have priories, we have abbeys, we have schools, we have warehouses. We have residential properties as well."

The owners of the fire station eventually want to turn it into a luxury hotel.

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