Wetherspoon’s has been confirmed as the buyer of a 15th century Maldon pub.

The pub chain paid more than the £350,000 asking price for the Rose and Crown in the High Street.

Bob Whittle, of leisure property specialists Fleurets, who handled the sale, said: “The sale conveyance of this public house progressed quickly with exchange of contracts taking place within 17 days of terms being agreed.”

Wetherspoon’s spokesman Eddie Gershon added: “We have been keen to open a pub in Maldon for a number of years and pleased that we are now closer to achieving this.”