Rural street with 22 homes sold at auction for £2.5m

The Canal and River Trust rented the properties out to tenants for several decades

An entire street has been sold to the highest bidder at auction after they offered £2.5m.

Dock Road in Sharpness, Gloucestershire, described at auction as "a rare unbroken street of 22 freehold houses and two freehold mixed use buildings", went under the hammer on Thursday.

The Canal and Rivers Trust, which has rented the properties out for several decades, sent a letter to tenants about a month ago, confirming it was selling the street to generate income.

While the trust has said residents will not have to leave, some are concerned their rent will increase.

Ralph Causton would have liked to have been given the chance to buy his home from the Canal and River Trust

Ralph Causton, has lived on Dock Road for three years and was annoyed he was not given the opportunity to buy his home.

"I would've snapped their arm off, I would have bought it, I wouldn't have hesitated," he said.

The Canal and River Trust told the BBC on Thursday it will write to tenants to confirm the sale and provide them with details on their new landlord.

"We understand a change of landlord can be unsettling, but there won't be a change in resident's tenancies, and we'll be working with the new owner to ensure a smooth handover of the properties," a spokesperson for the trust said.

"We took independent valuation advice ahead of the auction, and as a charity it's important we raise enough income to look after the regions historic canals so that everyone can use and enjoy them."