Dylan Thomas was born in the house in 1914

The city council has stopped leasing the house on Cwmdonkin Drive from its private owner, meaning it is no longer open to the public.

As well as being born in the property in 1914, Thomas wrote many of his early works there before leaving home.

It is hoped a charitable trust may be able to buy the building to reopen it to the public.

Until recently, the semi-detached house was used for public lectures and it formed part of a tour of prominent Swansea locations associated with the poet, who died in New York in 1953.

The council had leased it from a private owner but took the decision not to renew it when it ran out. The owner has now said he may have to rent the house out.

His memories of childhood always refer back to this house and this area Jeff Towns, Dylan Thomas expert

A spokeswoman for the authority said: "As part of its initiative to promote the works of Dylan Thomas and his strong links with the city, the council leased 5 Cwmdonkin Drive for a number of years so the public could visit it.

"A new charitable trust - The Dylan Thomas House Trust - has been set up with the aim of buying the property and the council is supporting this."

Thomas expert Jeff Towns said the building had been rented out as a private house before.

"It was used as flats for a while...but it would be much better if it was in the public domain," he said.

"His [Dylan's] family moved here in 1914, and he was born that year."

The house has been open to the public for years

Mr Towns said the view from the house was "to dominate his [Dylan's] childhood, across...hills and houses towards Cwmdonkin Park.

"He had this incredible creative burst between the ages of about 15 and 20," he said.

Mr Towns added that over half of Thomas' output can be said to have been begun or completed in the house.