'Coleridge's' marina up for sale

Bids are expected in the coming weeks

A Somerset marina - reputed to be the inspiration behind Coleridge's poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner - is to be sold.

Watchet Marina has berths for 140 boats, and can extend to 240.

The Marina is on a 125-year lease from West Somerset District Council, and is currently owned and run by Watchet Harbour Marina Ltd.

Its parent company, Dean and Dyball, said the marina was not part of its core business.

Simon Gardiner, from the company selling the marina, Humbert's, told BBC News Online: "It is rare for a going concern marina business to come onto the market and I have no doubt this one is sure to attract considerable interest.

"The lease would revert back to the ultimate landlord - the local council - after 125 years if both parties failed to re-negotiate.

"The council does have some control over the use of the 'property'. This is what is known as a virtual freehold."

Bids are expected on the marina in the next four to six weeks.