A NURSERY housed in an historic garrison building has been sold by its owners.

Butterfly Blue Day Nursery looks after up to 120 children aged from babies to five-years-old, in the former garrison theatre in Circular Road South, Colchester.

The building, which dates back to 1890, had been converted to accommodate the nursery but owner Dena Leek chose to sell up to focus on her remaining nursery closer to home in Hertfordshire.

She said: “Butterfly Blue is situated in a really fantastic building. I wish the new owners the best of luck as it really is a wonderful nursery.”

Following a sales process which Christie and Co said saw an “inundation” of interest, the nursery was sold to group ICP nurseries which boasts a portfolio of 58 settings across the UK.

Read more: Former Debenhams 'should become a Roman spa', says business boss

ICP Nurseries’ chairman Stephen Booty said: “We are delighted to have acquired Butterfly Blue, a lovely spacious setting in Colchester that will be a great addition to our group.”

Director at Christie and Co, Sophie Willcox added: “We were inundated with interest in Butterfly Blue and were delighted to receive offers within a matter of weeks of going live”.

The price of the nursery has not been disclosed.