THE terrifying appeal of Bram Stoker’s Dracula lives on as a first edition of the classic horror story has been sold for more than £3,000.

The hardback went under the hammer at Ringwood Auctions, and fetched a stunning £3,680 – a house record.

Published by Constable in 1897, it found its way to auction when a private seller sold it to them at the start of this year.

Lynne Woodward, co-owner of Ringwood Auctions, said: “We were a little disappointed with the final amount, given that it’s a first edition, as we were hoping for a little more. But still, it made £3,680.”

Bram Stoker is reported to have frequented the Bournemouth area, as he was manager to Sir Henry Irving, an actor-manager, who was friends with Sir Merton Russell-Cotes, owner of the Royal Bath Hotel.

In November 1999, former Echo linotype operator, Wally Driffield, recalled to the Daily Echo his knowledge of Bram Stoker’s links with Bournemouth.

He said that each time Irving visited Bournemouth to appear in theatre, Stoker would be with him.

Wally added: “On one occasion, Irving planted an Ilex tree in the grounds of the Royal Bath Hotel, then owned by Russell-Cotes.

“He also planted two more in the garden of East Cliff Hall. On this occasion, Bram Stoker accompanied him.”

The world-famous vampire tale is one of many links between Bournemouth and classic horror tales.

Frankenstein author Mary Shelley is buried in St Peter’s churchyard and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was penned by Robert Louis Stevenson in his West Cliff home.