Baltic draws in home-buyers

The development will not be ready for several months

Dozens of people have camped out overnight to secure properties next to Tyneside's prestigious new arts development.

Prospective buyers began queuing outside the sales office next to the new Baltic Art Centre on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the apartments going on sale at 1800 BST on Thursday.

More than 1000 people had already contacted Bryant Homes about the 241 riverside properties that cost up to £450,000.

Bryant Homes said the level of demand had taken them by surprise with a queue of more than 50 people by 0730 BST on Thursday.

Music centre

Melissa Lines, of Bryant Homes, told BBC News: "We weren't expecting so many people to start queuing 24 hours before we launched this development.

"People have been willing to brave the north east weather and sleep over night to secure their home."

The Baltic Quays development is located between the new Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts, the Millennium Bridge, and the soon-to-be-completed Sage music centre.

The apartments overlook the River Tyne and Newcastle's quayside.

Mick Henry, leader of Gateshead Council, said the location of the apartments was good news for Gateshead.

He said: "Gateshead is now home to some of the country's most prestigious arts and cultural developments and it is right that this should be supported by equally new properties and facilities.

"We want to promote Gateshead as the place to live, work and visit."