Land in a French village has been offered for sale at €1 per square metre.
The mayor of Champ-du-Boult in the Calvados department of Normandy is trying to push up the population by selling residential plots at the give-away price.
Currently, 388 people inhabit the community, of whom 25% are British expats. But the number has dropped from more than 500 in the early 1980s and 1300 in 1900. Many of the younger people have left the village to seek work.
About 60 of the community's 240 houses are British-owned, a third of which are holiday homes, mayor Patrick Madeleine said.
"We're in a period where money is short, with state grants being cut back," Mr Madeleine said. "The only way to bring a bit more wealth into the community is to bring in new residents."
The four plots measure 900 to 1,000 square metres and buyers are required to build houses and live there. Holiday homes will not be approved.
Hundreds of prospective buyers have contacted the council. Priority will be given to families with children, according to the mayor, and applicants will be chosen in the next three to four weeks.
Champ-du-Boult is not the only village in Normandy which has lost residents and is struggling to meet costs. Some are also considering reducing prices on land they own.
In nearby Vire, the municipality put 40 plots of land onsale at below market prices in 2012. Twenty have been sold, and new houses have been built.
