A giant sign featuring the name of a regional daily has been sold for £1,220 to raise funds for charity.

The Sunderland Echo moved from its old Pennywell base in April to a new out-of-town office at Rainton Bridge and last week a giant sign bearing its name, pictured below, was removed from the building to be auctioned on eBay.

The sign has now been sold by bathroom and kitchen retailer Tecaz, which bought the Echo’s former premises, and the money will be given to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The ‘Sunderland’ part of the sign, pictured below, is around 63ft wide, while the ‘Echo’ part is approximately 21ft wide.  Both are 10ft 6in high at their tallest.

Details of the buyer have not yet been released but it is believed to be someone from Sunderland.

Joy Yates, Johnston Press North East editorial director, said: “We are delighted our iconic Sunderland Echo sign has been snapped up by a buyer from the city and that the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, the chosen charity of bathroom and kitchen retailer Tecaz, will benefit.

“Our editorial and commercial teams are now in excellent new premises in Rainton Bridge Business Park.”

The sign was sold for £1,220 after 40 bids by 13 separate bidders.

Tecaz plans to turn the Echo’s former base, which comprised a 89,000 sq ft building and surrounding 5.6-acre site, into warehouse space and expects to create up to 60 jobs.