An auction to sell an iconic Medway theatre failed to get a single bidder.

The Theatre Royal in Chatham came up for bids at Clive Emson Auctions today - with a starting price of £380,000.

But no bidders showed an interest, and the auctioneer refused to budge below that price.

Auctioneers admit they're disappointed the it didn't sell - despite interest in the £400,000 property.

They say prospective bidders were put off by an "enforcement notice" handed out by Medway Council on the iconic building - that any new owners are legally obliged to repair it.

The Theatre Royal in Chatham was once the largest theatre outside the West End, with stars such as Charlie Chaplin and Max Miller gracing its stage, but today it is being sold off to the highest bidder.

The Victorian building closed back in 1955 and has been unoccupied since.

Despite numerous campaigns to save the Grade II listed building, the Theatre Royal Trust was unable to raise the £20 million needed to restore or meet the costs of preserving it.