A PRIMITIVE home has been snapped up for more than three times its basic value - much to the disappointment of the family of Britain's last cave-dweller.

Relatives of Annie-Maria Smith, who left Rock House in Wolverley in the 1950s, had submitted sealed bids to buy a piece of family history - but the cave has been snapped up for well over £30,000.

The proud new owner of the three-room sandstone cavern at Drakelow Lane - which has no mod cons, such as electricity - is a watercolour artist from Lincolnshire who plans to use it as a retreat for "peace and quiet".

Estate agent Andrew Grant reported 18 bids, many of which were more than double the asking price of £10,000, after a late rush at the end of last week.

These included offers from Mrs Smith's grandson Stuart, a Kidderminster businessman, and her son Mick, who was the last person to be born in the rented cave before the family moved out in 1958.

But they were unsuccessful after Richard Horsford, whose family has owned the property since the end of the 19th century, accepted a bid which was described by Andrew Grant as "well over £30,000".

A spokesman said: "We're very surprised - it went for a lot more than we thought. We were expecting bids of about £15,000 and even after all the media interest we never imagined the bids would go this high."

Tony Smith, 55, who lived in the cave until the family moved out when he was about 13, was pleased his old home had gone to an artist.

"The views up there are out of this world and an artist will really be able to make the most of it," he said.

Mr Smith, one of nine siblings, looked back nostalgically on the days when the family lived in the cave and said they had recently bought the rights to Pathe News footage of their last Christmas there.

But he said the cave had been crowded, even when a couple of the older brothers had left to join the forces.

"I wouldn't like to go back - it was cold and we had to wear extra overcoats in the winter. It was a long haul to the bottom to pick up the coal when it was delivered," he said.

"There was running water, though, and I think the pipe is still connected."

He added: "People have been taking the mickey out of us in the pub and calling us cave dwellers since all the newspapers and television got hold of the story.

"But it has all been meant in good spirit and we have just laughed it off."