SWANAGE'S historic Old Water Tower has gone on the market with a £1,250,000 guide price.

The Grade-II listed structure, that dates back to 1886, was constructed by George Burt, nephew of Swanage philanthropist John Mowlem.

It was converted into a five-bedroom home by current owners David George and Steve Dumble, who raised more than £2,400 for local charities when they opened up the building for public view last year.

David and Steve, who took 14 years to complete the conversion, plan to stay in the Swanage area.

When they purchased the building in 1991 it was derelict. "There was nothing, no floors and only four windows in the tower itself," David recalled. "It is quite difficult having a completely empty shell and going from absolutely nothing.

"The windows in the tower dictated where some of the floors were able to go, but in other rooms we were able to play about with the heights of the ceilings

"It is just a beautiful old Victorian folly of a building. It is like a castle with a really magical feel about it."

During the Second World War the tower was requisitioned and used as either a lookout or a machine gun post.

Between the end of the war and its conversion to a five-bedroom home, the tower served as a storehouse for various large items, such as vintage motorcycles.

David said: "The 45ft high tower originally contained two lead-lined tanks, holding 5,737 and 22,000 gallons respectively.

"Water was pumped to the tanks from an artesian well at Sunnydale by two eight horsepower gas engines contained in the attached pump room to the south of the tower.

"It is believed that the tower was only used for a few years when it was superseded by a reservoir built in Ulwell."

Peter Lane from Savills Wimborne office, which is handling the sale, said: "The Old Water Tower is an intriguing building.

"From the roof terrace, you really do feel ‘King of the Castle’ with incredible views over Swanage and the sea."