THE SPECTACULAR £19m restoration of East Float Mill at Wallasey had potential buyers camping out through the night to secure their new home.

A queue stretching more than 100 metres formed ahead of the official launch of the first phase of the landmark development by leading developer Gregor Shore and resulted in half of the 53 apartments, worth nearly £4m, being snapped up on the evening.

First to buy was Jack Dutton-Roberts, 19, of Birkenhead. He said: "I arrived here at 11am the previous day to make sure I was at the front of the queue.

"There are no other apartments in Wirral like these, so I knew I had to act fast to get the property that I wanted. It's a superb location with lots of potential, the specifications of the apartments are excellent and the transport links are perfect for me. I can just hop on the motorway to get to work in Chester."

Marie Wilkinson, head of Knight Frank's residential developments team in Liverpool, said: "The response has been incredible.

"The fact people were prepared to queue overnight to secure their home shows how East Float Mill has caught the imagination.

"It is already one of the most successful regeneration developments in the North West and shows that there is still demand for high-quality apartments that offer style and value for money.

"This unique development is a major investment in Wallasey and represents the beginning of a new era for the port.

"It will completely redefine the area as an emerging market by offering a high quality scheme with contemporary interiors at very attractive prices. That, plus the waterside setting, is what has caused such a rush of interest."

The ambitious project will restore the exteriors of the landmark building to their former glory and transform the interiors into 112 contemporary-style apartments, with residents able to sit back and enjoy some of the best views across the Mersey.

Some of the new homes will feature roof terraces with views of Albert Dock.