Jackson's Neverland ranch under threat

Michael Jackson is facing the prospect of losing his Neverland ranch unless he pays $25 million (£12.5 million) in arrears.

According to the documents, if the singer fails to pay the outstanding balance his California home will be sold to the highest bidder at a public auction on March 19.

Jackson was told in a filing: "You are in default of a deed of trust. Unless you take action to protect your property it may be sold at a public sale."

The singer has owned the ranch above the California coast since 1988, naming it after the whimsical island where children never grow up.

Jackson famously fitted the property with a private zoo and amusement park and decorated it with statues of Peter Pan characters.

But the reclusive singer has spent little time at Neverland since his June, 2005 acquittal on charges that he sexually molested a young boy there after plying him with alcohol.

In 2006 state authorities closed the property and fined Jackson for failing to pay his employees or maintain proper insurance, and the zoo animals have since reportedly been removed.

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