An historic swimming Pool which was controversially shut down last year as part of Bradford Council budget cuts has been auctioned off for £140,000.

The grade II listed Manningham Pool building closed its doors in July in an effort to save £119,000 a year.

At auction, the building was described as dating back to 1903 and having the potential for alternative use, subject to gaining consent.

Photographs show the pool intact but emptied of water. The Carlisle Road building was boarded up and security measures stepped up after a number of break-ins last year.

A further description stated that the lower ground floor includes a boiler room and filter room; the ground floor includes a reception, central swimming pool, three changing rooms, a sauna, slipper baths, toilets and office. There is also an office on the first floor.

The Council confirmed the winning bid, but could not say who the buyer was.

Belinda Gaynor, the Council’s operational estate manager, said: “Manningham Pool was sold at auction in December but so far the buyer has failed to complete. He still has two weeks to do so but if this does not happen, the building will be up for sale again, possibly at auction.”

Bruce Barnes, of Manningham Baths Action Committee, which was set up to try to save the pool, told the Telegraph & Argus he hoped to speak to the new owner regarding its future use.

He said: “We would be looking at a use that effectively mothballs the pool so that at sometime in the future someone has the opportunity to re-open it if there is ever the money around to do so.

“It would be possible, if they wanted to turn it into a health club like they did in Thornton, to keep the pool intact underneath and create a floor on top. It would involve a lot of investment.”

He added that a Friends Of Manningham Pool charity had been set up and could help with any fundraising that might be needed.

After the Council announced its intention to close the pool, a number of groups expressed an initial interest in taking it on, but only two bids were submitted and neither business plan was considered viable, particularly in light of a £1.2 million backlog of repairs.

In October, the Victorian Society named Manningham Pool as one of the nation's top ten most endangered buildings. An appeal to English Heritage to get it upgraded to grade II* listed status was unsuccessful.