A pub is set to be demolished and turned into flats after being sold to a mystery buyer.

The Windmill Inn on Old Shoreham Road, Southwick, which had two bars, a function room and five bedrooms was on the market for £500,000.

Specialist property agent Fleurets said they could not reveal how much the venue had sold for as nearby residents said the pub had already been closed and furniture removed.

In March, Adur District Council gave planning permission for the 1934 brick building to be demolished. The owner has permission to build seven three-bedroom houses, three two-bedroom flats and three one-bedroom flats in a flat-roofed block between two and four storeys tall.

There would also be 13 parking spaces, a covered bicycle store and storage sheds at the back.

The planning application was submitted by Charles Wiggins through Kean Elliott of Worthing architects Michael Cook Associates. No one was available to comment yesterday.