BIDDING wars broke out for two properties placed at auction by Sedgemoor District Council.

The council’s coffers are £280,000 richer after the houses went under the hammer at a November 1 sale by regional land and property auctioneers, Clive Emson.

A semi-detached house at 11 Wells Road, Theale, Wedmore, fetched £185,000 – more than double the lower estimate of its freehold guide price of £90,000.

The council also instructed the sale of a four-bedroom house with a large garden at 28 Queens Square, in a popular residential area of Highbridge, which sold for £95,000.

Auction Valuer Audrey Smith said: “Fierce bidding broke out for both of these properties.

“Many councils place properties with us as they recognise that an auction can often bring the best value for them and the council taxpayer.”

Elsewhere, Cold Harbour Cottage, in Meare Road, Glastonbury, beat the lower end of its freehold guide by £30,000 to sell for £225,000.

Cold Harbour Cottage was auctioned jointly with Tor Estates of Glastonbury.