HISTORIC Sherborne House is going on the market for £3 million.

The 18th century grade I listed building is being sold by Dorset County Council.

Writers Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray have stayed at the house and its hallway features a mural by court painter Sir James Thornhill.

The move comes after efforts to secure the long-term future of the property faltered - including a failed Lottery bid and proposals to convert it into a regional arts centre.

Now Humberts and Savills have been appointed to offer the property for sale on the open market.

Nigel Jones, who is commercial director at Humberts' Yeovil office, said: "This is an unusual property and sale.

"We've been working closely with the county council to develop an approach which will ultimately secure the future for this landmark property and the staircase mural by Sir James Thornhill which makes it of national importance."

Former residents include William Charles Macready from 1850 to 1860.

He was the leading actor-manager of his day but retired to the country.

His close friends Dickens and Thackeray visited him at Sherborne House.

Dickens also gave public readings of his work, including A Christmas Carol, during his stays.

The hallway mural was painted by Sir James Thornhill, whose more notable work includes the dome of St Paul's Cathedral, in London.

The mural at Sherborne House tells the story of the Calydonian Hunt from the book Metamorphoses by Ovid.

Humberts' commercial office in Yeovil and Savills Wimborne are advising Dorset County Council on the sale.

They said that their task is to find a buyer who will secure the refurbishment and long-term future of the property.

The house was built in 1720 and sits in the heart of the town, 600 yards north of its historic abbey.

The 20,000sq ft house and 4.22 acres of land associated with it - the former pleasure garden, orchard and land to the rear of the fire station - will all be sold by informal tender.

Humberts and Savills anticipate offers in the region of £3 million.

Bidders will need to incorporate financial, architectural and development proposals which meet the underlying goal of saving Sherborne House - even if eventually the refurbished building is sold as a separate entity.

The planning authority, West Dorset District Council, has already created a concept for the development - in principle supporting a high quality residential development on the land to the north of the house.

A prerequisite to that development will be an agreement to refurbish the house itself.

Paul Spong, of Savills, added: "What is unusual about this approach is that we will not commit to sell the property at all unless the bid has the support of the planning authority.

"However, this is a unique opportunity in a beautiful part of the country and we anticipate that the proposal will be of enormous interest."