BIDS of up to £1.2m are thought to have been made for part of a Kings Worthy school.

Hinton House, which is one of two building used by the village's primary school to host lessons, has been put on the market by Hampshire County Council as part of a £1.3m project to modernise education facilities at the site. Proceeds from the sale will go towards building a five-classroom extension to the school's main building.

Interest in the 19th century detached house has been strong with more than 100 people expressing an interest in the property.

Speaking at a meeting of Kings Worthy Parish Council last night (March 17), Stanley Howell, city councillor for Kings Worthy and a school governor, said: "Hinton House has been placed on the market. It was on with a value of £850,000 and I think bids have been going up to £1.2m. The amazing thing is something like 120 people have shown an interest.

"They are in the process of reviewing all the bids and it won't necessarily be the highest one that is chosen. They have been very surprised at the amount of interest there.

"It's in a very rickety state - you're going to have spend that around £1.2m to renovate it."

The house has "consent for conversion into a well proportioned family home", an "impressive" reception hall, 18 rooms and an enclosed mature garden, all set on a 2.4-acre site.