A SALE of machinery from the former Bridgewater Paper Company site in Ellesmere Port has “exceeded expectations”, auctioneers said.

Bridgewater collapsed last year and its former home in Ellesmere Port was bought by Peel Ports. Peel, which plans to regenerate the site, recruited King Sturge Plant & Machinery (P&M) to sell equipment left on the premises.

Online auctions in October 2010 and March 2011, saw more than 2,700 lots offered to bidders over six days.

The sale attracted interest from more than 200 bidders, some based as far afield as India.

Andy Booth, senior associate in King Sturge’s P&M team, said: “This was a huge sale in terms of the number of lots on offer but the auctions have proven a great success, raising a substantial sum of money.

“There was a diverse range of assets on offer which attracted bidders from around the world and across many different industry sectors.

“Whilst there was substantial international interest the majority of items were eventually sold to UK bidders, which shows that even though the industry is going through a tough patch there is still a strong demand for industrial machinery assets, which can only be good for the future.”