AN ANONYMOUS bidder has snapped up the former Bridgwater Magistrates’ Court building at an auction in Bristol.

The century-old building in Northgate sold for £186,000 – just £1,000 more than the list price. Campaigners had tried to halt the auction in a bid to retain the building for community use.

They urged Sedgemoor District Council bosses to put forward a bid themselves with Cllr Mick Lerry, Labour group leader, asking for £200,000 to be set aside for the bid at a meeting last week.

However the proposal was rejected resulting in the building, which dates back to 1911, being purchased by an unknown, private bidder.

Cllr Brian Smedley, who led the campaign to save the courthouse said: “I would expect whoever has purchased it to respect the historical integrity of the building and only hope that it might have been someone inspired by our campaign for community use.

“As ward member I will be very willing to work with the purchaser to this end.”