A community hub not used since before the pandemic has gone under the hammer.

New Road Community Centre opened in Minster, Sheppey, in 2008.

For more than 10 years, the 485sq m site was used for a variety of functions including weddings, children's parties and by sports clubs.

However, it has not been operational since before lockdown and has not reopened since.

Yet despite overgrown shrubbery and looking in need of repair, attempts to revive the building to its former glory have now completed their first step.

The property was sold at auction for £245,000 on Wednesday (February 7), on the instructions of Swale council.

The fee was more than £100,000 higher than its guide price, set by Clive Emson, of between £130,000 and £140,000.

Auctioneer Paul Bridgeman said: “This is a single-storey prefabricated building with a forecourt providing off-road parking.

“It is situated in a residential housing estate and it does need attention.

"It might also be used for other purposes - as long as all necessary consents are obtainable.”

Previously described as somewhere "with potential," the property features a main hall, three side rooms, a store, kitchen and toilets.

The hub was intended to go up for auction on November 1, but was withdrawn by the local authority.

This was due to a legal process not being completed quickly enough to meet the auctioneer’s time frame.