Tony Martin may be back at his farm within a week of his release

Supporters of the Norfolk farmer say he plans to renovate Bleak House in the village of Emneth Hungate after he is released from prison on Monday.

The farmer has been moved from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk to a secret location prior to his release

He is still officially in the custody of the prison service until Monday and is likely to move back the farm a week later.

The isolated farmhouse is surrounded by overgrown plants and trees, ivy covers the roof, and the windows are boarded up.

'Woman's touch'

But Martin, jailed for manslaughter for shooting dead an intruder, has already had a number of offers to help renovate his home.

Peter Sainsbury, general secretary of the charity POW Trust, which is supporting Martin, said: "Lots of people have offered to help him, including a local builder. I don't think there will be any problems at all."

The way he's talking he is going back and seems to be more concerned about his crops and his dog. Malcolm Starr, Tony Martin's friend

Former Conservative MP Teresa Gorman, a patron of the charity, has also offered assistance.

"Through Mr Sainsbury I said I was prepared to offer to help to get his house ready physically as it looked sad and neglected, " she said.

"It seemed to me that it could do with a woman's touch, and he lives alone."

The 58-year-old farmer's friend, Malcolm Starr, said Martin wants to do all of the work on Bleak House himself.

"He is used to it looking like that and I don't think anyone should judge him about it as he has the right to and isn't breaking any law," he said.

Safety concerns

"The way he's talking he is going back and seems to be more concerned about his crops and his dog."

He added: "Although I have tried to explain there will be a lot of people, especially the media, around all the time, but he's ignoring that."

Martin's farm, on which he grows corn, and the apple orchards have been worked and tended to by contractors during his time in jail, said Mr Starr.

However, police are concerned for Martin's safety.

Mr Sainsbury added: "The police have a job to do and Tony Martin needs to be careful and all the local community and his friends will support and back him and he is going into a comfort zone in my view."

Mr Sainsbury said Martin is unlikely to return to the house next week.

Martin shot dead 16-year-old Fred Barras from Newark and wounded Brendan Fearon during a burglary at his farm in August 1999 .