A STRING of developers have declared an interest in buying the Old Gaol building, Abingdon.

An advert in the current issue of the Estates Gazette has prompted more than 50 inquiries about the site.

Terry Stock, chief executive of the Vale of White Horse District Council, said: "We had hoped that such a landmark building as the Old Gaol would capture developers' imagination, and it appears this is the case.

"I hope this early interest translates into some high quality and imaginative development proposals."

The council has said it expects proposals for mixed use, including commercial and residential buildings, although Mr Stock said bidders could put forward any ideas.

A shortlist will be drawn up in the summer when the new council is in place following May's elections.

The site, which has been disused since the new Abingdon leisure centre opened, incorporates the Old Gaol and the former police station which are both Grade II listed buildings.

A major condition on the sale is that there has to be public access to the site, including the courtyard, through the ground floor of the Old Gaol to the riverside garden.