When news broke the day after Flora Day that iconic Lismore House in Helston was being put up for sale for the first time in 24 years, it created a buzz of interest that can still be felt today.

In the first of an exclusive two-part interview, owner Michael Jay talks selling up, leaving Lismore and the topic on everyone's lips: the future of Flora Day in its gardens.

As a boy growing up in the Gwealdues area of Helston, the young Michael Jay could little have predicted that one day he would become the owner of what is arguably the town's most prestigious and best-known property.

"I knew Lismore like everybody else, but never thought I'd own it. When it went up for sale I said to my sister and mother, 'I'm going to buy it'. They said, 'Are you mad?'

"It was actually bought and contracts were exchanged while I was in Russia," he remembered.

Mr Jay, now aged 75, admits it was a difficult decision to sell up - one that took him six months of careful thinking, before realising that now was the right time.

"I'm unable to get around as fast as I used to," he explained. "It's a very big house and there comes a time when you have got to say '24 years is enough'.

"The economic climate I think is difficult. The weather here is not good, especially in a very big house. There are other opportunities for me, although it will be terrible to leave.

"But I understand it might not sell tomorrow, the next day or next year; it may take a long time.

"It would be a nice home for a big family."

With nine bedrooms, two and a half acres of grounds and space for up to 16 cars - six in garages - there would certainly be space for the largest of families.

Naturally the question that everyone is keen to ask him is: What will happen on Flora Day and will the dances still be allowed in the gardens?

It's one that he can't answer, as while he has openly expressed his wish that the Midday Dance and Evening Dance should continue to be given access, it is ultimately the decision of whoever takes the property on.

"I hope the new owners will carry on with the tradition at Lismore, but it cannot be enforced. It's their prerogative," he said.

It is something he has always taken very seriously - despite initially having "a bit of fun" with the Flora Day stewards came to visit him, a week after he moved in to 2 Cross Street.

"I had Baden [Christophers] and Leslie Collins here, very worried about Flora Day. They said, 'Now Michael, you're a Helston fellow - are we to assume everything will be alright about Flora Day?'

"I thought I would pull their legs and I said, 'It's a lot of people coming in the gardens.' I saw their faces drop, before I added, 'But if I'm going to live here do you think I could walk the streets of Helston?'"

Falmouth Packet:

One of the property's bathrooms, with the original Georgian features returned

He is one of the few people to receive an invitation to take part in the Midday Dance every year without fail - despite once being told by 'Mr Flora Day' himself, Edward Cunnack, that he would "never be asked to dance".

It was after Mr Jay responded to a letter in a local newspaper, decrying the changing fashions of headwear in the Midday Dance, writing back: "If you want to stick to tradition so much, have Flora Day on a Monday - but you choose to favour the auction of cows [Flora Day still not held on Monday 'market day' even now]."

"He didn't like that," laughed Mr Jay.

He has never taken up the invitation to dance - although he has "been tempted" when his sister Doreen wanted to - as he is always so busy.

Each year he hosts a Flora Day party for 25 invited guests, with all nine bedrooms filled with people staying.

"I'll miss the build up of Flora Day itself. Everybody gets excited; you feel it. It's the only day Helston comes alive," he said.

Mr Jay thanked everyone who comes into the garden to watched the Midday Dance each year for looking after it, adding: "It's nice to be able to give something to Helston."

He was president for Helston Town Band for eight years, before retiring from the position two years ago, and this is why he would always walk with the band through Lismore on Flora Day rather than at the front of the dancers.

Despite keeping a low profile, Mr Jay has done a lot for charity and community organisations over the years. Just on Saturday he was hosting a garden party lunch for 45 people, made up of Helston Rotary Club members and their guests from Lanyon in France, at which they enjoyed Cornish yarg, Rodda's clotted cream - and "went crazy" over a new found love of Coleman's English Mustard.

It is likely that Mr Jay will end up in Asia, which he knows well through work, and his favourite place is Thailand.

So far, estate agents Christophers have had "two or three positive" enquiries, amidst the "many, many comments".

However, he believes nothing will happen while the future is so uncertain with regards to Europe.

"You find with large property, the big boys don't rush in immediately. And nobody will be making decisions to splash out until Brexit is over.

"I may be here this time next year; it doesn't bother me, because I'm in no hurry. I'd go into shock if somebody says, 'Can you be out next month?'," he laughed.

In the second part of our feature: Royal connections, life at Lismore and an unexpected take on what the future might hold for the property.