A west Dorset ice cream parlour has been sold for more than half a million pounds at a 'competitive' auction.

Mollie’s ice cream parlour is located in Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, and was described by letting agent Symonds & Sampson as the 'scoop of the day' when it went under the hammer in Sherborne on April 20.

Guided at £250,000, competitive bidding quickly pushed the price past £500,000 with the gavel falling eventually at an eye-watering £515,000.

It was eventually sold to Gavin Kenward and his family following interest from local entrepreneurs, and it is believed the building will remain as an ice cream parlour. 

The building enjoys stunning coastal views and is located in a prime location on Lyme Regis seafront. 

“The price of ice creams in the town may have to go up," auction manager Meredith Holmes said.

Land and property in Dorset and across the rest of the south west went under the hammer at the property auction in the north Dorset town last week.

Auctioneer Mark Lewis added: “We were selling various parcels of land which drew the crowds, with competitive bidding from purchasers in the room, on the telephone, by written proxy and online.

"Local farmers were bidding against buyers from further afield who were buying for tax purposes.

"There were also houses for renovation and redevelopment opportunities throughout the region.

"The 'scoop’ of the day however was the sale of an ice cream kiosk on the seafront at Lyme Regis."

Symonds & Sampson plans to host its next Sherborne auction on Thursday, May 25.