ESTATE agents say a former university hall of residence attracted a lot of interest when it went on the market yesterday.

Shincliffe Hall, set in woodland near Durham City, has been put up for sale by Durham University and would-be owners had until yesterday to make bids for the property.

Newcastle agents Knight Frank put a guide prize of £995,000 on the former country house, part of which is a Grade-II listed building and dates back to the late 1700s.

Nicola Osborne, a partner in the company, said: "We have had a good level of interest.

"There has been mixed interest from developers, residential and commercial and some interest from people looking to turn it into a holiday home."

Ms Osborne added that she could not say what sums had been bid for the property until the company had formally reported on the bids to the university, which would then decide which one to accept.

The hall, set in 3.8 acres and close to the River Wear, has provided student accommodation for more than 50 years but it is being sold because of plans to build new accommodation.