THE 18th century Wayfarers restaurant at Sherborne Causeway near Shaftesbury has been sold through Christie & Co off an asking price of £475,000.

Proprietors Mark and Clare Newton had owned the restaurant for 13 years and are moving to France.

During their occupancy the 34-cover Wayfarers earned two AA rosettes. Its B&B suite has a four AA Red Diamond rating.

The Wayfarers is a first time restaurant purchase for new owners David and Sue Lamb. They are running it as a family business with their son as chef.

The Wayfarers has traded as a restaurant since 1960. The Lambs are the fifth family to have owned it since then.