THE future of Maidstone's derelict Mote House could soon be decided as six firms have entered a bidding war to turn it into housing or a hotel.

In an unusual move, Maidstone Borough Council's cabinet decided to discuss plans for the 100-year-old house in public at a meeting on Wednesday.

Councillors revealed that a mystery sixth party had entered the contest with five tenders - believed to be worth up to two million pounds - to turn it into a residential development.

The new offer - officially only an "expression of interest" - is to turn the main building into a four-star hotel with conference and leisure facilties, build sheltered housing in the garden and move Maidstone Carriage Museum onto the site.

All the plans will be put on display to the public at the Town Hall this month. The developers will be invited to a special cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Nov 5, to talk through their plans.

But while the public will be able to have a say the final decision on what happens to the grade II listed house will be made by the council.

Cllr Malcolm Robertson (Lib Dem), cabinet member for transport and planning policy, said: "The problem with this is that there is only one of these proposals which includes a carriage museum. There is head of steam building up in support of this and it will be attractive to a lot of people."