THIS SITE HAS BEEN ARCHIVED AND CLOSED.

Michael Jackson has found his marbles long enough to save his Neverland ranch from the auctioneers hammer, the pop star’s lawyers have confirmed.

Arrears of $25m accumulated over the last three months put Jackson’s home, situated in the Santa Ynez Valley in California, at risk of repossession. Due to go up for sale next week, a “confidential” agreement has been struck with an investment group which has kept Jackson’s name on the title deeds.

"Neverland and MJ are fine," said L Londell McMillan, Jackson’s lawyer, who claimed the ranch’s future was never in doubt and that the problem had been exaggerated by the media.

"I know for a fact that he wasn't going to lose it," he continued to BBC News. "It's not a problem - Michael's keeping Neverland.

"I've spoken to his brother, Tito, about it and it's not like it is in the papers. It's quite normal for anyone who's a success to have a mortgage on their property because they can get better rates for their money."

Jackson hasn’t lived at the ranch since it became the scene of child molestation charges in 2005.

A woman was arrested their last week after trespassing on the grounds. 60-year-old Billie Jean Jackson claimed that the ranch was legally hers as she was the pop star’s wife.