Edmund Davies says the books should be kept at St Martin's Church

Two visitors books covering the period just after the poet's burial at St Martin's Church, in 1953, went on sale on the eBay auction site.

The unknown vendor set a minimum bid of �5,000 for the books, church registers and other memorabilia.

They are important because after Dylan's death many famous people from throughout the world have come to visit Laugharne Edmund Davies

But when the nine-day auction ended at 1630 BST on Thursday, no bids had been made.

The news is likely to please people living in Laugharne who were angry that the books were to be sold

The items were described as "a one and only record of St Martin's Church... the two visitors books there are some interesting signatures of various people who visited the Church from 1955 - 1959."

A Church in Wales spokesman said that the sale was legal.

Thomas biographer George Tremlett - who lives at Laugharne - says that the books should be returned to the church.

And resident Edmund Davies has called on the Church Parochial Council to hold an urgent meeting to discuss the matter.

He said: "I think it's very important they are kept within the area and in particular in the church.

"They are records of the church and of the comings and goings over the years.

"They are important because after Dylan's death many famous people from throughout the world have come to visit Laugharne."