A plant nursery has been sold off by Copeland Council in order to save money.

Egremont's Beck Green Nursery was no longer of use to the council and no interest was shown in leasing the property.

Councillors hope the sale will revitalise the Cross Side road property and prevent it from falling into disrepair.

The land attracted the three bids, says Copeland, but the council will not reveal publicly who has bought it.

Lena Hogg, portfolio holder for economic growth, said: "It used to be Copeland nursery where they reared plants for plant beds but it closed a long time ago. It was then rented out for a while.

"We want to sell as it would be all the better for us. It would bring money into the pot and we wouldn't have to maintain it."

Copeland councillor agreed on Tuesday that the site should be sold as it "would allow it to be returned to some sort of beneficial use rather than being left to fall into disrepair and potentially attract vandalism".

The nursery falls within Environmental Agency flood zones so significant expenditure on flood defences would be required in order to develop houses. Three bids were received for the site.

Coun Hogg, who is also an Egremont Town councillor, said: "It's just another task, if it's not doing any good and isn't being used then we may as well get rid of it. It's quite a big site."

"I think you would be able to build on some of it but some of it is on a flood zone."