SILVERDALE will not lose out following the sale of a National Trust-owned property in the village at public auction, says the conservation body.

Levensfield - a detached Edwardian-style country cottage on Lindeth Road - sold for £134,000 following brisk bidding at the auction at the Gaskell Memorial Hall, Silverdale, last Friday.

Around 60 people attended the sale.

The National Trust's assistant marketing and communications manager Shona Owen said: "Silverdale will not lose out.

The trust is investing in additional staff resources to help carry out its conservation duties on the land it owns in the area."

The house was bequeathed to the National Trust by Frank Hayton, who used to live there, and The Westmorland Gazette reported last week that some Silverdale residents felt other properties in the village should benefit from its sale rather than the proceeds going straight into the general coffers of the trust.

The name of the successful bidder was being kept a secret.

However, Colin Tomlinson, a partner with Kendal-based auctioneers and estate agents Michael Hodgson, was prepared to reveal that the purchaser came from South Lakeland.

Bidding started at £40,000.

"There were five bidders and bidding was very brisk," said Mr Tomlinson, who conducted the sale.

"The interest was widespread, mainly from North Lancashire and South Lakeland."