IT USED to be a humble pumping station – but now estate agents are hoping to sell this rural building as south Essex's smallest office.

For an asking price of £89,000, the 258-sq ft brick-built structure, sits in an acre of land off Fambridge Road, Ashingdon.

Since it was put on the market last week, the 64 year-old building has attracted a lot of interest.

The red-brick building was built in 1951 and sold at auction last year. The site nowhas planning permission to be used as an office, with space for parking and a turning area.

Gerard Biagioni, of agent Dedman Gray, which is marketing the property, said: “It’s certainly the smallest building I’ve ever dealt with, that’s for sure.

“Since the structure of the pumping station is substantial and it has two good-sized windows at the front, the most obvious conversion would for it to become an office, albeit a rather bijou space for two people or more. Someone suggested it would make a terrific artist’s studio, as it comes with land in which to enjoy the view and the large, open skies.

“Similarly, I know a professional writer has also said it would make a wonderful place in which to sit, think and work.

“It could even be a small laboratory, or workshop. It just requires a little imagination – but there are lots of great ideas!”

While the building may be on the small side, it pales into insignificance, compared to what is probably the world’s smallest office – a 20ft “smoffice” (small office) which is being offered in a competition in Durham, North Carolina, USA.

The most promising start-up business will be given the minioffice space in the front window of a cafe, for six months free of charge from May.