A LANDMARK Hereford hotel has been put on the market for the third time in seven years.

The Green Dragon is once again up for sale, signalling another chapter in its recent history.

The Broad Street premises has a pricetag of just under £3 million, for which the winning bidder will receive 83 rooms in a prime, city centre location.

But a surprise name is emerging in the bidding war, putting its future as a hotel in doubt.

JD Wetherspoon is interested in the building and representative Eddie Gershon has not ruled out a bid from the pub giant.

"We are looking at future sites in Hereford as the business we have there has been very successful," Mr Gershon said.

"We are certainly aware that the Green Dragon is up for sale and this is one of several sites we're looking at.

"It's of interest to us, but, truthfully, we've not had a good look at the particulars yet. We have to have a good look and then we'll decide what to do."

The Green Dragon is arguably Hereford's best known hotel and was owned by the Forte group until 2000.

It was then snapped up by the Macdonald/Heritage Hotels group, which sold it to Mahal Hotels in 2003.

Management were unavailable to comment last week, but property agents, Colliers Robert Barry, confirmed the hotel was on the market.

The Cirencester-based firm helped Malah Hotel with the purchase four years ago and agent, Alasdair Murchie, said there had been plenty of bids.

"We've had a huge amount of interest in this property and a number of bids have been well over the asking price," said Mr Murchie.

"It went up for sale during the middle of June. I can't tell you who has put a bid in, but all the bidders so far are from the hospitality trade."