A FORMER all-girls school that was placed on the market earlier this year following its shock closure has been sold.

A 'sold' sign has replaced the for sale board that had been fixed to the front gates of the 19th century St Mary's Convent School site, in Batenhall, Worcester.

Details of the buyer and the deal for the site have not yet emerged, although the extensive buildings and grounds were being marketed by estate agent Andrew Grant with an asking price of £4million.

Parents were shocked when St Mary's, the only all-girls school in Worcester, announced back in June that it would be closing its doors at the end of the school year.

Andrew Cleary, chairman of the governors, told staff members during a meeting it had become impossible to run the school.

He said: "As a St Mary's parent myself, this is a very sad day for all the families who have girls at the school and for our wider community of former pupils and staff, many whom loved their time here."

The closure of the school, which also had a mixed kindergarten on site, left 270 pupils looking for alternative education.

About a third of the students moved to the Royal Grammar School, in the Tything, while some St Mary's girls also moved to all-girl Dodderhill, in Droitwich, and King's School Worcester.