A historic hall will be partially closed for two months of “imminent works” from next week with two main rooms to remain open to the public.

Rock Hall in Farnworth will begin refurbishment works next week which will last until December.

But two ground floor rooms, a toilet and a kitchenette will be available for events and workshops to take place.

The Moses Gate Country Park home was built in 1807 and closed in 2014, falling into disuse.  

The charity Banana Enterprise Network has been working with the council to restore the listed building and turn it into a multipurpose community centre.

The local authority has agreed to plans to hand over the hall to Banana Enterprise Network via a community asset transfer.

A council spokesperson said: "The Rock Hall works are imminent and should start next week.

“A contractor called Rosslee Construction has been brought on board. We're in the pre-contract stage this week.

“Refurbishing Rock Hall is about developing ideas for the future.

“We know it's a community building that people want back in use as soon as possible.

“Two rooms on the ground floor, one toilet and a bit of a kitchenette are available for the public to use for functions like community workshops and events.”

Rock Hall was built by John Crompton, owner of some Lancashire paper mills including Farnworth Mill.

He died before it was completed.

His son Thomas Bonsor Crompton was a pioneer who developed a patented paper drying process.

It came into council ownership in the 1970s and by then it had fallen into disrepair.

Four years ago, Banana Enterprise Network began its Save Rock Hall renovation project.

Last year, the charity was awarded £4m of funding jointly with the council by The National Lottery Heritage Fund for it.

The project is ongoing, but Save Rock Hall has organised many free events on the property.