A HOTEL has been sold for nearly £900,000 after it generated fierce competition among buyers.

The White Horse Hotel, in Harrowgate Hill, Darlington, was sold by property agents Robert Barry and Co to Jay Patel, from Leeds.

A spokesman for Robert Barry and Co said: "The sale generated much competition from purchasers, who could see the tremendous trading potential of this well located traditional town hotel."

Mr Patel said: "I am really looking forward to taking on this new challenge. "There are areas that have a lot of potential and, like anybody else, we have got a lot of ideas."

The three-star hotel has 40 en-suite bedrooms.