9 October 2012 Last updated at 02:44 ET

Hartlepool Council sells lodge to ease "financial pressures"

Bids for the property must be submitted by 30 November

A 19th Century lodge in Hartlepool is up for sale in a bid to ease "financial pressures" facing the council.

Hartlepool Council has put the former park keeper's lodge in Ward Jackson Park up for sale as it faces cuts of about £20m over the next four years.

The two-storey Grade II listed property, which was built when the park opened in 1883, has been unoccupied for a number of years.

Councillor Paul Thompson, said it was the "best option" for the authority.

He said: "Selling buildings and land is an integral part of managing the council's finances and is helping to protect frontline services at a time when we are facing the biggest cuts in government funding in living memory.

"This is a very historic property in an excellent location and we are expecting lots of interest."

Land next to the building is also up for sale.