A Burnley hotel looks set for new owners after a buyer met its £3million price tag.

A mystery party has offered near to the asking price for the prestigious Oaks Hotel, Reedley, after the Victorian building went on the market two weeks ago.

And today the agents acting on behalf of owners, Shire Hotels a subsidiary of Blackburn brewer Thwaites said there had been a lot more interest in the Colne Road site.

David Blythe, director of Christie and Co, said he could not reveal the identity of the bidder and said he expected more potential buyers to come forward.

He said: "We have had a phenomenal amount of interest in it.

"We have had 12 formal viewings and we are having another batch of three.

"We are asking £3million for it and we have received a formal offer on it in that region."

Shire Hotels decided to put the three-star hotel on the market so it could concentrate on its four-star businesses.

According to Christie and Co, the hotel was built by Manchester tea and coffee merchant Abraham Altham in 1892.

The building was formerly the headquarters of the Burnley Rural District Council and became a hotel in 1984.

As well as 51 rooms the hotel has a health and fitness club and is popular for conferences and weddings.

Mr Blythe said: "We are going to go for a closing date for offers at the end of the month.

"The chosen offer will be an offer which can be realistically delivered quickly and may not be the highest bidder."