Groups including Horncastle Civic Society were counting on a buyer to take on the landmark listed Georgian townhouse and restore it before it falls into disrepair, but no bidders came forward.

The Civic Society has been appealing for the owner, the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, USA, to carry out essential work on the house since they were given it by Earl W Newton, an American Scholar, author and historian, in 2001.

Bob Pendell, society secretary and vice chairman, said: "We are very disappointed and feel we are right back where we started.

"There is a lot of work which needs to be done but we were hoping someone with a vision would buy it and bring it back to its original glory.

"I would like to know what the Savannah College of Art and Design is going to do next."

When asked back in May what they were going to do, Jody Emeott from SCAD said they were selling the house because they did not have the funds to develop it further.

No one from the college was available for comment before going to press.

The auction was held by Robert Bell and Company at the Admiral Rodney Hotel and of the 13 lots billed, two were sold privately beforehand and a further six were sold on the day.


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