IT will probably cost the new owners more than a pretty penny to do up their new acquisition – a public loo in the centre of Tintern.

Built in brick, the toilet block (which sits with its back to the River Wye) is faced with a colour-washed render with a tiled roof measuring just 6.55m x 4.5m. 

The property is divided into separate ladies and gents with baby changing facilities.

The property was made redundant by Monmouthshire County Council on April 1, as part of the authority's cost cutting measures and the toilet block was put up for auction.

The auction was held at Abergavenny last Thursday and the toilet block at Tintern was one of seven lots being disposed of by Monmouthshire County Council. The ballroom of the Angel Hotel was packed with some 200 people hoping to pick up a property bargain.

The block was guided at a price range of £7,500 to £10,000 and started low and increased in £1,000 steps as bids were accepted by the auctioneers.

The bids passed the guide price without stalling and progressed through the teens to the £20,000s and still the bids kept on coming.

At £40,000 the bids started slowing down but still the bids kept on coming and it finally the auctioneers hammer went down at £56,000 – that's £46,000 over the top end guide price.

The new owners are believed to be Chris and Shelly Rastall, the proprietors of the nearby by Abbey Mill and other properties in the village but we understand, despite questions, 'they don't talk to the press'.

Monmouthshire County Council have indicated that an alternative use will be considered by planners including that of a takeaway outlet.