Decision on Bridgnorth cliff railway due soon

A decision on the future of Bridgnorth's historic cliff railway could be made as early as next week after today's deadline for bids to buy the company.

The railway was put up for sale in February when its owners, Allan and Jean Reynolds, decided to retire after 15 years.

Estate agents tasked with selling it said there had been plenty of interest from potential buyers ahead of the closing date for tenders, which was 5.30pm today.

Included in the asking price of between £700,000 and £800,000 is a guesthouse, a tearoom and a flat.

The railway, which is open seven days a week, links High Town and Low Town.

Mrs Reynolds said they would now sit down with agents to discuss the bids.

Jonathan Bengough, from Knight Frank estate agents in Birmingham, said the online listing of the railway had received hundreds of hits.

Scores of information packs had also been sent out by request to people expressing an interest in buying the railway.

Mr Bengough said: "Once all of the tenders are handed in we will then sit down with Mr and Mrs Reynolds to open them and discuss them all. We will be discussing each one throughout next week and at the end of the week, maybe we will make a decision. We have had lots of interest and we are expecting more tenders to be made today."