Keen bidders pushed up the price of a former Canterbury school well above its estimate when the building went up for sale at auction.

The redundant property in New Dover Road, previously the St Christopher's independent day school, had a guide price of £675,000 to £725,000.

But the hammer eventually went down at £850,000 after a flurry of bids by investors, builders and developers at the Clive Emson property sale last week.

The school closed last year after almost a century of teaching after running into financial difficulties and suffering a damning Ofsted report.

The auctioneers said the "imposing and substantial" semi-detached building had potential to convert, subject to planning consent.

Auctioneer Kevin Gilbert said: “This property has a large area of car parking outside and offers potential in a number of directions as long as all necessary consents are obtainable.

"We had bids from builders and developers and the price was well above the guide which demonstrated the high level of interest."