And the hammer fell . . . frantic auction action as bidders battled to buy fire-gutted Cleethorpes church

                                   

Under the hammer -  the grand old church on Grimsby Road

Going, going, gone!

A new owner has emerged for Beaconthorpe Methodist Church on Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes.

The fire-damaged building today sold at auction but only after a flurry of last-ditch bidding.

The online sale had to be extended for 15 minutes such was the intensity of bidding.

In total, there five bidders, but two  (1 and 3) quickly dropped out.

That left bidders 2 and 4 to slug it out for the spoils - or did it?

With seconds to spare, a fifth bidder muscled into the fray to take the spoils with a knock-out bid of £31,000.

The identity of the successful buyer has not been revealed, but it will probably be known soon enough when she or he announces plans for the future of the Grade II Listed building.