POTENTIAL buyers of an historic Middlesbrough college site are being asked to submit their best and final offers.

The Northern School of Art, formerly Cleveland College of Art and Design, in Green Lane, Linthorpe will relocate later this year when students and staff move to a new three-storey £14.5m campus opposite the BBC studios and bus station near the town centre.

The old site – which is more than two acres in size and will be vacant by the end of October – was put on the market earlier this year. Offers were invited in excess of £900,000.

Subject to planning consent it has been identified as suitable for a variety of uses including residential development.

The sale is being handled by North East commercial property agents Dodds Brown. Its senior partner Stephen Brown said: “As we anticipated, the college site has generated a considerable amount of interest.

“Even though it’s been on the market a relatively short time a sufficient number of serious buyers have already come forward. We’ve reached the stage, therefore, where we’re asking those who want to pursue the purchase to provide their best and final offer.”

The deadline is March 25 to submit an offer. Contact Dodds Brown for details on 01642-244130 or e-mail k.guest@doddsbrown.co.uk.

The Northern School of Art has had a base in Middlesbrough for nearly 150 years. Its famous former students include the artist Mackenzie Thorpe, photographer Boo George, fashion designers Natalie and Danielle Futo and Olivia Rose and rock star David Coverdale.

The school runs a range of A-levels, diplomas, industry-focussed degrees and postgraduate courses across its Middlesbrough and Hartlepool campuses for students who wish to make a career in the film, theatre, television, art or design industries. More information about its courses can be found at www.northernart.ac.uk

The campus in Green Lane was built in the 1960s. Middlesbrough councillors were told it had “reached the end of its economic life” when they met to consider plans for the new site.

Alongside its other campus in Hartlepool, The Northern School of Art is the only specialist art and design school in the North East and one of just a few in the country.

As well as its plans for Middlesbrough, The Northern School of Art announced in December that it was building a £3.76m commercial film and TV studios in Hartlepool, with both projects being supported by funding from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.