A LANDMARK hotel on Clacton seafront has sold for £850,000 at auction.

The Royal Hotel, on Marine Parade East, went under the hammer in London this week.

The 1872 building, which has a prime spot overlooking the pier, was expected to go for between £800,000 and £1 million.

The new owner had not been disclosed last night but is believed to be a consortium.

The historic hotel has been empty since it closed in 1994.

The man behind the Royal was Peter Bruff, regarded by some as the Richard Branson of the 19th century for the work he did in Clacton.

Winston Churchill was its most famous visitor.

The hotel starred on Channel 4 show Hotel Rescue last year before being put up for auction.