A DISUSED toilet block is the latest prime site in a city centre to be earmarked for housing.

The derelict, vandal-hit block, near Monk Bar car park, off Lord Mayor's Walk, York, was sold by City of York Council after it closed and became a haunt for drug-users.

The former award-winning building is likely to be demolished and converted into flats.

Kevin Hollinrake, director of Hunters estate agents, in York, said: "This is the way the things are in the city at the moment.

"There is not enough greenfield land being released to build on, and this is one way of getting around it."

Rawcliffe councillor Mark Waudby was part of the scrutiny committee that investigated ways of cleaning up the area.

He said: "A lot of people use that car park and it is not the best thing to see when you first get into York. If these plans are approved, it will be an improvement."

The plans, recommended for approval by officers, will go before city councillors on Thursday.