A WEST Dorset hotel with two AA stars has sold for nearly a million pounds.

The Fernhill Hotel, near Charmouth, was sold for an undisclosed sum from an asking price of £890,000.

Rob Illingworth, from Boreham, bought the property through the Winchester office of agents Christie and Co.

Ed Bellfield, who handled the sale at Christie and Co, said: "Fernhill Hotel was extensively refurbished by the previous owners, Chris and Wendy Satterthwaite who purchased it in January, 2005.

"It has been awarded with an AA Two Star rating (2007) due to the high standards that are currently being achieved and has also been mentioned in the Daily Telegraph as the textile designer Rebecca Earley's favourite hotel."

The Fernhill is about half a mile from Charmouth and overlooks the Char valley.

It has 12 en suite bedrooms, a residents' lounge, 60-cover restaurant, lounge with café bar and sun deck, breakfast and private dining room with a sun deck, an outdoor swimming pool and a sun terrace.

Planning permission has been granted for the rear of the bar and a disabled toilet.

There is a small studio flat, which is used as owners' accommodation. It includes a double bedroom, bathroom and lounge and dining room.

Guests at the hotel have access to fishing, ornamental lakes and gardens.