AN abandoned riding school building at Walton Hall and Gardens will be brought back to life by Warrington Borough Council after a £500,000 budget was agreed.

The executive board agreed the contract for the repair and rebuilding work and signed off the scheme at its Town Hall meeting on Monday.

The facility is tucked away behind the heritage court yard at Walton Hall, beside the canal.

It was built in the latter part of the 19th century and is shown completed on the 1899 Ordnance Survey map.

The riding school was built as part of a massive investment by the first Lord Daresbury – it consisted of stables and equestrian training facilities.

The site was used to train and exercise Lord Daresbury's extensive stable of hunting and riding horses.

In recent years, trees along the canal have grown and damaged the roof, making the building unsafe for use.

The plan is to return the building to full use as a multi-purpose events space.

Cllr Tony Higgins, executive board member for culture, leisure and community, said: "We are very pleased to be ensuring this old building will be of use to the visiting public again.

"Work will start over the summer and – when it's completed – this will be a fantastic covered space and will make a fine addition to the estate.

"It's been more than 100 years since visitors were allowed in the building so it will be great to see it put to good use."