A bunker built by the Ministry of Defence during the Cold War has been sold for £10,000 and will be restored to its former glory.

Ready for a makeover - estate agent Diane Smith shows what the purchaser will get for his money. Picture: NICK OBANK (41233-1)

The underground one-bedroomed property, in a field between Stebbing and Dunmow, has been bought by a military buff from North London, according to agents Mullucks Welch.

It is accessed by a 14ft shaft and has no gas or electricity but there is a hand-operated water pump.

Land was compulsorily purchased from farmer Tony Lanyon in 1959 and the bunker was used until the mid-1980s by the Royal Ordnance Corps.

After the threat of nuclear bombs from the Eastern Bloc ended, it was given to the farmer in 1991 with a small payment from the Ministry of Defence.

Agent Diane Smith said solicitors were working on contracts and she expected the deal for about £10,000 to be completed within the next few weeks.

Published Thursday, March 3, 2005

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