Last updated 19:41, Thursday, 15 May 2008

TWO West Cumbrian hotels went under the hammer yesterday.

The Moota Motel on the A595 sold for £325,000, which was £75,000 more than was expected, but it is not known who bought the property.

Workington’s Westlands Hotel, on Branthwaite Road, which had a price guide of £250,000 failed to sell at the auction in Leeds.

A spokesman for auction firm Eddisons, said: “Westlands is still available and it is not uncommon for bids to be placed later.

“Any bids that do come in for it will be looked over and a decision will be made on its future.”

The Westlands, on Branthwaite Road, has been closed since December 2005, and was one of the most luxurious hotels in the area. It opened in 1972 and was visited by the Queen that year.

The Moota motel is in 100 yards of the Lake District National Park.

The landmark hotel was a popular weekly dancing venue for many people growing up in West Cumbria but went into receivership in August 2004.

In 2005, both properties were bought by Manchester firm Viewfresh.

The company had plans to demolish the buildings and replace them with caravan parks, that never materialised and the Moota Motel was boarded up.