AN empty Keighley house owned by Bradford Council has sold for three times its guide price at auction.

52 The Gables, an imposing, empty three-bedroom terrace house in Keighley, had a guide price of just £20,000 when it went to an online property auction by Pugh auctioneers on Wednesday.

But the house ended up selling for £60,000 to an undisclosed buyer, providing a much needed boost to the public purse.

However, another empty Keighley property remains unsold after the auction.

11 Ethel Street in Keighley, a three bed terrace house that is also owned by Bradford Council, did not sell for its £50,000 guide price.

Council owned properties to go under hammer in bid to fill empty homes

The sale of a third Council property, 35 Springcliffe in the BD8 area, was postponed to a future auction. it had a £60,000 guide price.

As part of the Council's empty homes policy, the authority often takes ownership of long empty properties in order to bring them back onto the housing market.

Homes are obtained by measures such as compulsory purchase orders or by agreement with the owners.

Sometimes the Council disposes of properties by passing them onto charities or registered social landlords.

On other occasions the homes are sold at auction.

For more information on the items that did not sell at the auction, visit https://www.pugh-auctions.com