AN entire village which was put on the market a year ago for £20m has found a buyer.

The village estate of West Heslerton, near Malton, North Yorkshire had been under offer since August.

And now the estate has been purchased by Albanwise Ltd, a Norfolk-based real estate and farming investment company, for an undisclosed amount.

A spokesman for the group said: "Albanwise Ltd is due to become the new owner of West Heslerton Estate and looks forward to incorporating this within our North Yorkshire Estate.

"Albanwise owns land and properties in various locations with the main holdings being in Norfolk and Yorkshire."

Villagers confirmed they had had a meeting about the sale at which they met with the buyers.

For their £20m, the buyers get what is described by estate agents as "a traditional and diverse country estate with vast potential.”

It includes a 15,692 sq ft, 21-bedroom hall which is currently "requiring renovation".

There are also 2,116 acres of land which includes 1,528 acres of arable or temporary grassland, 427 acres of permanent pasture, 112 acres of mature woodland and 17 acres of farm business tenancy let.

The estate also comes with 43 residential houses and cottages, currently let-out, the Dawnay Arms pub, a petrol station, two acres of playing fields and eight acres of sports field, both of which are let on long leases.

It is not yet clear if the historically low rents in the village are to be continued.

The village was owned by the same family for generations but a decision was taken to sell following the death of Eve Dawnay, the last owner, six years ago, at the age of 84.

Miss Dawnay inherited the estate in 1964. It had been in her family for 150 years. But she moved out of West Heslerton Hall, the centrepiece of the estate, 30 years ago, and it has not been lived in since.