AN entire parade of shops in a New Forest town is expected to raise around £2.2m when it goes under the hammer at a London auction.

Numbers 61 to 71 Station Road New Milton go on the auctioneers block in London on Thursday October 19.

The property consists of six shops, including Boots the Chemist, a toyshop, an electrical shop and a travel agents, producing rent of £150,700 a year.

Allsop Auctioneer George Walker said: "It is quite a high percentage of the shopping in the town and it's nice to have that.

"Interestingly it has been very popular, people perceive New Milton as a decent town and somewhere they want to invest. From an investors point of view the key is whether or not Boots is going to commit to it.

"I think they probably will. People seem convinced they will stay.

"This is the first two day commercial auction that we have held since October 2005 and includes a total of 291 lots. Vendors are currently keen to offer properties at auction and appear confident that there is demand."