A block of former public toilets on a Cornish seafront has sold for £169,000 — more than eight times the asking price.

Dubbed the “loos with a view”, the block of men’s and women’s toilets at Longrock, Penzance, was described as a "rare and exciting" opportunity when put up for sale by Cornwall Council in January.

The building, which looks out on magnificent St Michael’s Mount in Mount’s Bay, has since sold at an online auction.

It was originally listed with an asking price of £20,000.

At the time, Katie Semmens of Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers said: “This is a rare and exciting opportunity to acquire this freehold detached former block of public conveniences with land to either side.

“Occasionally these types of properties come to auction although rarely in this type of location.

''They may offer a variety of future uses, all subject to all necessary consents.”

The block stands on one of the flattest and most accessible parts of the South West Coast Path.

After the auction, Katie said: “There was incredible interest in this property, which took its final sale price to £169,000.

“Its location in a truly spectacular position on the seafront with stunning views towards St Michael's Mount and Mount's Bay was a key factor in the keen interest generated from interested parties nationwide.”

The detached block comes with 0.12 acres of land.

The former toilets are believed to be the most expensive sold in Cornwall. In 2018, a former toilet block in Newlyn with a sea view sold for £73,000 — nearly five times the asking price — while in 2015, a former toilet block in Charlestown went for £115,000.

Also in Penzance, a ground floor commercial property most recently used as an office went for £40,000 at auction.

The Treweath Road property, listed with a leasehold guide of £37,000-plus, was sold under the terms of a new 125-year lease.

It was auctioned in arrangement with Marshall’s Estate Agents of Penzance.

An end-terrace house with double bedrooms in Pendennis Road, Penzance, sold for £179,000, well above its freehold guide of £155,000-plus.