Buyers are queueing up for a historic Bradford pub but the likelihood is that it may never serve as a bar again.

Offers have flooded in for the 18th century Cock and Bottle in Barkerend Road after it was put on the market as part of a mass pubs sell-off.

The deadline was Friday at noon when offers in excess of £120,000 plus VAT were invited.

Because no-one could be found to take over the lease of the pub, accountants, architects and a children's nursery owner have been among the bidders.

A decision on which offer is accepted is likely to be taken next week, but it leaves the pub's future in the balance.

Allen Shepherd, from selling agents Christie's, said: "Interest has exceeded all expectations.

"It has some of most beautiful, stained glass which can be seen anywhere.

"But there may be a question about whether it can reopen as a pub where it is.

"It would make a marvellous architect's office, for example. We have also had interest from accountants and people who may convert it into a children's nursery as it has a car park and play area.

"It is a mixed bag of interested parties but there has been a lot of interest in the place.

"We have had around a dozen offers on it which is quite a lot and expect a sale to be confirmed soon."

The pub is steeped in history with a colourful past. The Cock and Bottle dates back to 1747 when an inn is first reported to have been licensed on or near the site of the present pub.

Sir Thomas Fairfax's wife is also said to have been captured by Royalist forces in 1643 on the spot where it now stands, but a long standing myth that there was a secret passage linking it to Bradford Cathedral has since been discounted by historians. It appears to have been completely rebuilt in about 1820 at the time of the building of Otley Road and the name Cock and Bottle was first used in 1822.

In 1999 it opened as a Christian pub and was run by volunteer worshippers from Bradford's Christian community. But it closed in March this year.

Real ale campaigners are hoping beer may soon be flowing back through the pumps.

John Bell, secretary of the Bradford CAMRA group, said: " We are hopeful that it will reopen as a pub. It is a listed building and very unspoiled.

"Hopefully it won't be turned into offices. That would be very sad."

A spokesman for Enterprise Inns said: "We advertised the Cock and Bottle as a vacant lease for an extensive period of time. However, no interest was expressed and we have unfortunately taken the decision to place it for sale on the open market."