DISAPPOINTED? That's an understatement, say the trustees and friends of historic Sherborne House following the news that it is to be sold on the open market.

As reported in the Echo, the fight to save the dilapidated 18th-century property for the public has been lost after county councillors ruled plans to transform it into a regional arts centre are not financially viable.

For the past decade the trustees have attempted to raise the £3m needed to carry out crucial repair work on the Grade 1 listed house, and avenues of hope included a failed Lottery bid and an appeal on the BBC programme Restoration.

In April councillors gave the trustees the chance to develop proposals aimed at revitalising the County Council owned house as a regional arts centre.

But this week councillors voted to put the house up for sale and have offered the town council a nearby piece of land south of Paddocks Gardens for the development of an alternative community arts facility.

Sherborne House Trust chairman John Miller said: "To say we're disappointed is an understatement. We feel very let down by the local authorities.

"They have shown a complete lack of logic because for the past six years, particularly with our funding from the Arts Council, we have established a reputation as an innovative arts centre.

"They are throwing this away."

The trust was due to meet last night to discuss options - "although these are extremely limited," he added. "Our best hope is a benefactor to buy the house and then share the building with us."

Chairman of the Friends of Sherborne House, John Sutherland-Smith, said: "A lot of people have done a lot of work during the past 10 years so of course this is an immense disappointment.

"All we can do is wait to see who buys it and what they plan to do with it."