Historic Park Lodge, the sale of which had put in doubt a proposed heritage lottery bid for Gillingham Park, has been bought by a local doctor for £140,000.

The buyer, who doesn’t wish to be named, bought the Edwardian building based at the park's Canterbury Street when it went under the hammer at the Clive Emson auction on Friday.

Its guide price was £140,000 to £150,000.

Cllr Diana Smith, who urged Medway Council to keep Park Lodge, spoke to the new owner briefly after the sale.

She said:"I asked him if he would support the Friends of Gillingham Park’s Heritage Lottery bid and he said he would.

"He also mentioned the possibility of leasing Park Lodge to the council so it can be used as a Contact Point.

"I am glad that someone with local connections has brought the Lodge though I would have preferred it if the council had kept the building.

"The lodge had been part of the council’s bid for Heritage lottery funds to renovate Gillingham Park and the sale puts the bid at risk.

"Hopefully the new owner will work with the friends of Gillingham Park so that local people can still enjoy the Lodge. "