A North Shropshire farm has been sold for more than £3.25 million as the county’s agricultural industry continues to defy the recession.

The sale of Lyneal Wood, near Ellesmere, comes weeks after another county farm sold for more than £5m. Estate agents said the sale of Lyneal

Wood had attracted 35 viewings from people who wanted to take on the 350-acre arable estate.

The anonymous buyer is from a ‘Shropshire farming family’.

The seller, Simon Martin, is believed to have owned the farm since 1996. Before that it was owned by the Williams family.

Estate agents Savills today said the sale showed that the county was bucking the national trend

Last month, Havenhills and Brockton Farms near Telford were sold to an anonymous local businessman for more than £5m.

The sale of Lyneal Wood included both residential and commercial buildings and 351 acres of farmland.

The deal includes a Georgian farmhouse with swimming pool and tennis court, equestrian facilities and a range of general purpose buildings.

The sale also includes an established shoot, woodland and a one-bedroom courtyard cottage.

Tony Morris-Eyton, from agents Savills, said the sale, which attracted more than the guide price of £3.25m, demonstrated farms and farmland remain highly sought after despite the global economic crisis.

He said: “It’s been a busy year for the farm agency and the sale at Lyneal Wood further underlines the strength of the Shropshire farmland market.

“The fact we had 35 viewings underlines the strength of interest there is in good quality farms and farmland.

“Farming is seen as something of a safe haven for investment.”

He added: “The buyers are from a Shropshire-based farming family.”

Mr Morris-Eyton added: “The strength of interest shown here underlines the perceived value of investing in farmland.

“Good arable land in the area has been fetching over £6,500 per acre and this sale follows hot on the heels of Havenhills and Brockton farms last month, which was one of the largest farm sales in Shropshire in 2011.”