A renovation job to turn Sir Jimmy Savile’s Highland cottage into a holiday retreat for the disabled has been put on hold.

Following recent claims of sexual abuse and rape surrounding the late broadcaster, chiefs at the Jimmy Savile Charitable Trust say the hideaway, which was to be named "Jimmy's at Glencoe" may be jeopardised by the scandal.

Trustee Roger Bodley said although the claims "cannot be proven", the conversion was now "in limbo".

He said: "These allegations will do a great deal of harm to the work that the charitable trusts are planning.

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"His two charitable trusts have already supported several very effective projects, as well as being about to support the conversion of his cottage in Glencoe for use by the disabled - projects that are overwhelmingly beneficial to the community but which will be gravely curtailed by adverse publicity that we believe cannot be proven."

Mr Bodley said he did not believe the damaging allegations, recently the subject of an ITV 1 documentary featuring testimonies from women who claim the broadcaster sexually abused them 30 years ago.

He said: "Neither I nor any of the other trustees have any idea whether the allegations are true or false. That said, there is nothing that I have heard that makes me believe that they might be true.

"If they are true, then that activity by anyone cannot be condoned, whatever their position, and it is bitterly disappointing."

Sir Jimmy first came across the house in 1944 during a cycling holiday.

It was put on the market in 1998 for offers over £75,000 and it is believed Sir Jimmy made a much higher bid to secure his purchase.

(IT/GK)