TWO historic buildings have been sold in advance of a major development.

The Manor House and Springfield House in Stokesley -both Grade II-listed and together worth more than £1.4m -have been sold by the county council.

It follows the authority's commitment to the creation of a £7m community facility on the town's former highways depot, with Hambleton District Council and Broadacres Housing Association.

A large part of the Town Close scheme will provide apartments with 24-hour care and communal facilities on-site for older people, which will replace the Springfield House residential home.

The scheme will also replace the Manor House library with a modern community resource centre, a council office and a new home for the Community Care Association, together with rooms available for hire.

Weatherhead Construction, of Guisborough, has bought the Manor House site and plans to create a GP surgery, dental surgery, crche, restaurant with private dining facilities and offices there.

Springfield House has been bought by local businessman Brian Andrews.