Cleethorpes Pier fails to reach auction guide price

A pleasure pier that opened in 1873 has failed to reach its £400,000 guide price at auction.

At 335ft (100m), Cleethorpes Pier in North East Lincolnshire is one of the shortest in the UK.

Tina Waterfall, of auctioneers Swindells, said the pier - which was built at a cost of £8,000 - had twice been sold in the past for over £1m.

She said the pier could still be bought in the next 28 days if an increased bid was put in.

Ms Waterfall said: "It's in the best state of repair it's been in for years."

Invasion fears

The pier and its pavilion, owned by a local businessman, could now be rented out to tenants if a suitable offer is not received, Ms Waterfall added.

Cleethorpes Pier was mainly financed by a railway company in an attempt to attract Victorian tourists to the resort.

When it first opened, the walkway was 1,200ft (365m) long but in World War II a section of the pier was removed amid fears of German invasion.

After the war the isolated part of the pier was demolished, reducing it to its present length.

In 2011 the pavilion underwent a £250,000 refurbishment.

The auction was held on the pier at Cleethorpes' North Promenade.