AN unnamed international telephone bidder has bought two historic Wellington water towers which were put up for auction last week.

The water towers, which neighbour each other behind Rockwell Green Village Hall, had previously been listed as among the country’s most endangered Victorian buildings.

Auctioneers Palace Auctions described the sale as a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’ to acquire two iconic grade two listed towers.

There was strong interest shown in the sale with 30 bids received before the lot went under the hammer for £120,000, which was £20,000 below the listed guide price of £140,000.

A spokesperson for Palace Auctioneers said: “This lot offers exceptional development potential for investors, heritage enthusiasts, and visionaries seeking a unique project in a thriving Somerset community.”

The two towers had been owned since 2013 by Croydon-based property developer Anwar Ansari, who bought them when they were being disposed of by Wessex Water.

One of the towers was built of red brick in 1885 with a steel tank and conical cap and a cockerel weathervane sitting atop it, while its sister Art Deco concrete tower was built in 1934-35.

The red brick tower was built after the Wellington area was affected by a severe typhoid epidemic.

The spokesperson said they were prominent local landmarks which offered spectacular views of the countryside surrounding the town, but were in need of restoration and/or conversion.

They said: “Subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents, this site could become an extraordinary home, a premium holiday let, or a creative commercial space, capitalising on the growing demand for unique heritage properties.

“No other property currently on the market matches this combination of heritage, character, and development potential.

“Water tower conversions across the UK have achieved exceptional results, demonstrating the value and appeal of these unique structures.”