Shrewsbury Dana prison sold to unnamed buyer

Shrewsbury's Dana prison closed in March 2013

A former prison in Shrewsbury has been sold, agents for the Ministry of Justice have confirmed.

Known as the Dana, it was one of a number of jails to close last year in an attempt to save £63m.

GVA, which is handling four of the sales, said it had formally agreed the sale of the prison to the preferred bidder, but that contracts had yet to be signed.

The firm has so far refused to name the winning bid or reveal its sale price.

Built in 1877, the three-acre Shrewsbury site housed more than 300 prisoners until last year.

It closed in March 2013 with the loss of about 190 jobs.

Some, including English Heritage, have suggested the Grade II listed building could be converted into a hotel, similar to one in Oxford.

The six former prisons are due to be replaced with a £250m "super prison", planned for Wrexham.