A CLOSING date has been set for offers on a former East Lothian Council care home.

The Abbey in North Berwick was put on the open market by the local authority earlier this year, seeking offers of about £1.2 million.

Now, it has been confirmed that offers have to be with East Lothian Council by noon on October 23.

READ MORE: The Abbey goes on the market for offers around £1.2 million

That comes at the same time as a community campaign looking to buy the facility gathers pace.

North Berwick Community Development Company (NBCDC) previously revealed in a public meeting that it intended to bring the building, which was able to accommodate up to 30 residents, into community use.

NBCDC has already made an expression of interest to the council with a view to applying for a community asset transfer.

Kenny Miller, chair of North Berwick Community Council, was unhappy that NBCDC had not been informed by the council about the closing date.

He added: “There has been a great deal of work put in to attempt to create a self-financing community facility, which would also allow both Herbspace and North Berwick in Bloom to continue to use their current facilities.

“We need to now consider our position as a matter of urgency.”

The care home was based in a B Listed mansion house built on the grounds of a 12th-century convent known as North Berwick Priory.

The property comprises “a two-storey rambling L-Plan House built in 1907, adjoining single-storey and attic cottage built the following year".

After its completion in 1908, The Abbey was used as a private home until the 1950s, when it was sold to the Edinburgh Corporation Social Services Department.

Earlier this year, cash-strapped health chiefs made the decision to close the Old Abbey Road building as part of a series of “financial recovery measures” amid a £10 million county-wide funding gap.

The building did not fully meet health and care standards, according to the authorities.

NBCDC’s preliminary plans for the former care home include allotments, a café and accommodation for people visiting the town.

READ MORE: Public support for plan to buy former The Abbey care home

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: "All parties will need to submit a formal offer through the normal process ahead of the closing date in order to be considered.

"This includes any community interest.”