A buyer ended up spending more than a penny on a set of public toilets are they sold at auction for a whopping £169,000.

Dubbed the ‘loos with a view’ the seafront toilets at Longrock, near Penzance, had been listed for sale at £20,000.

Cornwall Council instructed the freehold sale of the detached block of former public conveniences, which were said to be in a “truly spectacular position” overlooking the famous St Michael’s Mount.

Extending to 0.05 hectares (0.12 acres), the site at Longrock included both men’s and ladies’ facilities and surrounding land.

The lot was previously listed in the February auction of Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers, but has been re-listed for the March sale.

It was among 145 lots listed in the latest auction held by Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers.

Senior auction appraiser Katie Semmens 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.”

She had previously added: “Occasionally these type 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.”

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

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

Falmouth Packet: The former office in Treweath Road, PenzanceThe former office in Treweath Road, Penzance (Image: Clive Emson)

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

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

Clive Emson Auctioneers holds auctions eight times a year.

The next auction - the third of eight this year - ends on Wednesday, May 1. Bidding opens 48 hours beforehand. Lot entries close on April 8, with the online catalogue available from April 12.