A swathe of one of the North-East's most picturesque country estates has gone on the market for £4.25m.

The sale of more than 2,000 acres of the Wynyard estate, near Billingham, Teesside, follows news last month that Wynyard Hall is also available for £8m.

The 2,175 acres are thought to be protected by existing planning laws, prohibiting the future development of the site by house builders or industrialists.

Estate land now up for sale is on the opposite side of the A689 from the hall and is on the doorstep of the business park and neighbouring Samsung plant.

Christopher Orme, partner of Strutt and Parker solicitors, which is in charge of the land sale, said: "The closeness to the urban centres of Teesside and the large amount of potential from the properties on the estate means that Wynyard would make an excellent development prospect."

The vast acreage available is expected to be marketed mainly through the pages of publications aimed at the rich.

The acres are split into 24 lots, which can be bought as a whole. On offer are five farmhouses, four cottages, traditional farm buildings and shooting rights.

Mr Orme said: "There is obvious scope to regenerate the existing pheasant shoot using the 600 acres of woodland, which are strategically placed throughout the estate.

"In addition, there are a range of modern farm buildings, together with 775 acres of productive arable farm land."