THE Hunter's Moon free house in the hamlet of Middlemarsh, near Sherborne, has been sold to national pub operator Enterprise Inns on behalf of owner Brendan Malone through the Winchester office of property agents Christie + Co.

Sold for the asking price of £895,000 freehold, the refurbished 18th century inn stands on the A352 Dorchester to Sherborne road within open countryside on the edge of the Blackmoor Vale.

The freehouse derives 70 per cent of its turnover from food sales, serving quality home-cooked food, a range of real ales and fine wines.

It has three character bar areas, a 26-cover restaurant, eight en-suite letting bedrooms and four-bedroom owner's accommodation, an attractive beer garden and a large car park.

Brendan Malone bought the property as a shell in 2001 and spent £300,000 on the restoration by local craftsmen, featuring exposed beams and an inglenook fireplace.

The old stables, skittle alley and log store attached to the original pub have been converted to letting accommodation.