A bidding battle to buy Skipton's county Court has begun.

The court is moving to the town's magistrates' court building and more than 200 brochures have been sent out to prospective purchasers since the building went on sale.

Jeff Crabtree, associate director of Dacre, Son and Hartley, said: "There has been far more interest than we expected, and we have already had our brochure reprinted twice.

"It is a very unusual building, with the court room stretching from floor to ceiling.

"Obviously it is used as a court at the moment, and any different use would require planning permission. We might be surprised what it turns into next."

Mr Crabtree declined to disclose the guide price, but said all tenders would be forwarded to the Court Service once the deadline of May 30 had passed.

The building, on Otley Street, is currently scheduled for listing and has been used for many decades as a county court.

It incorporates a courtroom, judges' chambers and general office facilities.

Margaret Henry, the county court manager, said that the move to the magistrates' court was due to take place on May 22 and 23, and it would re-open for business on May 28. She said that cases listed for May 15 and 22 would be heard at Keighley.

In the future the county court would hear cases every Thursday and every other Wednesday, using one of the two courts in the magistrates' building.