A former London Underground station, used as a World War Two command centre, has been sold for £53m.

Brompton Road station, near Harrods, was put on the market in September by the Ministry of Defence as part of cost-cutting efforts.

Opened in 1906, the Piccadilly Line station closed in 1934 when London Underground decided it was no longer financially viable. It is now expected to be used for residential development.

'Historic significance'

Defence minister Andrew Murrison said: "The Ministry of Defence is committed to selling off its surplus land and property in order to provide the best possible value for money to the taxpayer.

"At the same time we take our role as a custodian of the nation's history very seriously and have been working to record the historic significance of the building."

The money from the sale will be put back into the defence budget, it was added.

During the Blitz the station was used by the War Office to control anti-aircraft batteries protecting London from air raids. It was most recently occupied by the University of London Air Squadron and Royal Naval Unit and air cadets.

The identity of the buyer has not yet been disclosed.