A WHOOPING estate in Corringham (the size of 473 football pitches) is on the market for almost £4million.

The enormous Coryton Estate plot belonged to Petroplus, who owned Coryton oil refinery before it went bust.

Pricewaterhouse Cooper, who brokered a deal for the stricken refinery are now selling the land - including this site and the Pegasus social club in Herd Lane.

It is understood part of the land has been rented to farmers, who live on a five bedroom farmhouse off Rookery Hill. They are said to be retiring.

The land consists of an extensive range of farm buildings, 80 acres of farmland and 530 acres of grassland.

The huge greenbelt plot is currently “under offer” and while its not clear who has made the bid, the estate is advertised as being for sale “by private treaty in lots or as a whole”.

A brochure on the land and farmhouse, by Chelmsford-based agent Savills, says: “The Coryton Estate is situated close to the River Thames between Corringham and the new Thames Gateway container port. It is unusual in this location for a property of this nature and size to come to the market.”

It also states that part of the land, just to the north of the former refinery, may be contaminated.