CLAREMONT old people's home in Prestwich has been sold for more than £2 million to a property firm.

The boarded-up building went under the auctioneer's hammer at a Manchester hotel and fetched £2,190,000, some £890,000 more than Bury Council expected!

The Bury New Road site was marketed with outline planning permission for residential development and the new owners, Factfocus Ltd, are experts in property development.

Council chiefs said they were "pleased" with the outcome of the sale, conducted by ColliersCRE, but could not say what the owners had in mind for the site.

Keith Beamer, of property and technical services, the department that marketed and disposed of the building, said: "The guide price was £1.3 million and we knew we would have some competitive bidding which enabled the best price for our asset. We are pleased we raised a substantial sum for the council."

Leader of the council, Coun John Byrne, said the extra cash would give them more flexibility in the capital programme and could even be used to address the lack of elderly day care services.

He said: "When we agreed the budget in February we set aside £1.3 million for capital receipts so we have not decided yet what to do with the extra money raised. There are one or two issues around social services. We are looking at day care services in Prestwich and may be able to put some money into that."

Coun Byrne said the council had tendered for expressions of interest to provide day care services in the south of the borough and could now be in a position to contribute to a scheme either with a direct grant or substantial loan.

He said: "It is likely that a fair chunk of the money will stay in social services."

Claremont was closed by Bury Council last autumn under a controversial shake-up of social services for elderly people.

Government inspectors said that Bury placed too many people into homes and did not provide sufficient alternative care to help them live at home.

Campaigners argued that the site should be used to provide day care services instead but this week Coun Byrne said he doubted that would happen.

Manchester-based Factfocus Ltd specialises in the investment, development and renting of property and last year had a turnover of £1,543,000.

They were unavailable for comment.

Auctioneers at ColliersCRE said Claremont had attracted a lot of interest with around 15 parties bidding on the day.