A VICTORIAN abbey in Worcestershire, which has been up for sale for nearly three years, has been remarketed for a second time at a reduced price.

The sale of Stanbrook Abbey, Callow End, near Worcester, was expected to be completed this autumn but collapsed after the charitable Christian trust, which had been on the verge of sealing the deal, submitted a substantially reduced offer.

Worcester estate agents Andrew Grant has now remarketed the abbey – home to an order of Benedictine nuns for 170 years – at the reduced price of £4.5 million.

The abbey first went on the market in January 2006 for £6 million but, after failing to sell, it was remarketed in February this year for £5.5 million. Jonathan Mountford, commercial director for Andrew Grant, said: “We have re-advertised and had a lot of interest.

“We have sent out over 30 sets of particulars and we have had a good response but no offers at the moment.”

The 25 nuns are due to leave the abbey for a new purpose-built monastery in Wass, North Yorkshire, in March.

Mr Mountford said: “The problems come in March because the nuns are out of there. The heating will be turned off and everyone knows it is going to be vacant.”

He said it would be at serious risk of deterioration and very difficult to secure.