The toilets are to be turned into a furniture store

Gateshead Borough Council slapped the price tag on the disused 1960s brown brick convenience in 2004.

But the Lowreys Lane location, in the town's up-and-coming Low Fell area, attracted more than 20 bids.

The council is selling the block to North Key Interiors, subject to planning permission being granted.

A spokesman for Gateshead Council said: "It was advertised for offers in excess of �25,000, which was met with some surprise by many people at the time but I think we have been vindicated.

'Unique opportunity'

"The location brought in so many bids."

Company director Graham Mitchell said the 400sq ft premises will be doubled in size and the facade will be transformed with steel, wood and glass.

It will become a showroom for exclusive office and home furniture, in keeping with the Low Fell area, which is popular with professionals, he said.

He added: "Gateshead has the Angel of the North and the Sage music centre so they seem to be forward-thinking as a council.

"This is a unique opportunity to have a new piece of architecture in Low Fell."

He said it could reopen within six months, at a cost of �100,000.