Brampton's redundant infant school buildings - which have stood empty for almost a decade - are set to be sold at auction.

The buildings, which hold many happy memories of generations of people in the town, have been listed online by Landwood Property Auctions which is conducting the sale on September 13

Photos show the former playgrounds overrun by weeds, boarded up windows and less colourful classrooms than they once were.

The two buildings on either side of Moat Street, which sit on a site of more than half an acre, have a guide price of £100,000.

They are being marketed as two former schools. The smaller property, which latterly become the school's nursery and also houses the old school hall, is referred to the former infant school. The larger, detached building is described as the former junior school.

"Both properties are in need of comprehensive refurbishment and are considered to present development potential subject to obtaining the necessary consents," the listing states.

"Due to an area of fire damage and wood rot to parts of the former junior school there is no access for viewings. Viewings to the former infant school are possible."

The buildings had served the community from 1800s until 2009, when Brampton's infant and junior schools amalgamated.

They now exist as Brampton Primary School in nearby Sawmill Lane.

Earlier this month the News & Star learned that a transfer of the buildings from Cumbria County Council to Brampton and Beyond Community Trust (BBCT), through a community asset transfer, would no longer be possible.

This was because as complications had been identified. Allan Harty, senior property manager for the council, wrote to the trust explaining that following a cabinet decision made 2012 - for the transfer of ownership to progress - subsequent due diligence had identified the existence of a reverter.

This means the authority does not own the freehold of the buildings but hold it in trust for someone else and therefore could not transfer the freehold for the buildings to BBCT.

The news came as a huge blow to the trust which had planned to sell on the buildings and use the proceeds to invest in the community centre for the benefit of people in the town.

But the county council is legally required to demonstrate it can get the best price for the trustees, something that it wouldn't have achieved by transferred it for free to BBCT.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “The council has a duty to ensure we get the best price when disposing of surplus assets, including those that are held in trust by the council on behalf of another parties.

"On this occasion we have chosen to dispose of the former school by public auction as it allows a competitive and transparent sale.”

BBCT is said was a "great loss" to the community that it would not longer be transferred ownership of the buildings.

It is due to launch an alternative plan to help find the investment it needs to secure the future of the centre in Union Lane. This, it said, which will include ways for the community to become financially involved.