A SMALL grass paddock recently auctioned at Kirklington, near Bedale, may have sold for a record price.

The 0.7 acre parcel of agricultural land realised £35,000 but, unusually, was also subject to VAT, which added an extra £5,250 to the purchase price.

Auctioneer Robin Jessop said: “This sale must be approaching a record for a piece of paddock land in North Yorkshire as it equates to £57,500 an acre.”