A house built in the 1830s has been sold for the first time on the open market.

The property in Court Street, Nayland, was snapped up by local property developer George Braithwaite for £270,000 after a public auction, which attracted more than 130 people.

Many of these took part in the bidding, which auctioneer Robert Chapman said began at £150,000 last night.

It was the first time the house had left the ownership of a family which it has belonged to since 1914. It had not been seriously looked at by a builder or decorator for at least 40 years.

Some suggestions were made that it would make a perfect film set.

Published Wednesday, March 13, 2002