AN EIGHTEENTH century seafront hotel has been sold.

The 17-bedroom Royal Clarence Hotel in Burnham changed hands this month for £380,000.

The historic hotel was built in 1796 and boasts views of the waterfront. It has proved popular with holidaymakers in the past and it is hoped construction workers at the new Hinkley Point nuclear power station will also use it.

The change will see Paul Chatwin take over from former owner Graham Townley.

Simon Wells, director of Colliers International who orchestrated the sale, said: “We had a very good response from the market and the purchaser has a long term vision for the property.

“There is certainly an appetite for businesses at the moment. I would even go far as to say that the viewing levels generally are the best we have seen since the peak of the market six years ago.”