work will finally start next month on transforming Smithills Hall into a tourist attraction. Leisure chiefs will begin the massive task by restoring three rooms to their Victorian splendour. But they hope it will just be the first phase of a long-term project to bring back to life the grade two listed building.

They orginally wanted to create a £3.6 million major regional attraction to rival Tatton Park and Wigan Pier, attracting 250,000 visitors a year.

But the plan received a major blow when a bid for a Heritage Lottery grant was knocked back.

Lottery officers indicated that they would look at the application more favourably if it concentrated more on the heritage of the museum rather than creating an all-round fun "hands-on" attraction. Leisure chiefs are currently working up a new bid. But a £880,000 European grant was approved and this will fund the first phase of the project.

Work is due to start on February 22 by knocking through from the east wing to the west wing.

Then the electrical system of the whole building will be brought up to date to ensure the heating, alarms and smoke detectors are all working efficiently.

Work will then start on the three rooms with the hope that they can be open to the public by the summer.

Parts of the hall date back to the 14th century, but it is the west wing, built between 1874 and 1886 which will be the focus of the restoration. The rooms to be restored are the white drawing room, the green hall and Colonel R H Ainsworth's library.

The white drawing room, seen above as it is now in the inset picture and how it will be in the main artist's impression, was originally the centrepiece for architect George Devey's new west wing.

Devey made a beautiful light room which, with its delicately articulated ceiling and light oak panelling was sympathetic to the rest of the hall.

The fireplace was decorated by the arts and crafts ceramic designer William de Morgan whose handcrafted tiles were four times the price of their more commercial rivals.

The green hall provided the way into Smithills Hall for family and guests.

The room was used for relaxation after outdoor activities such as riding or shooting, with refeshments often present.

It was always a very dark room with dark green wallcoverings.

The Library was a favourite retiring place for "The Colonel" R H Ainsworth where he would read his copy of The Times.

It is hoped that various special events will be held during the year where people will be dressed up in period costume.

Cllr Bob Howarth, Bolton Council leader, said: "This is the beginning of the changes at the hall.

"We have replaced the roof and carried out other work, but once this work has been done the public will be able to see the difference.

"It is the beginning of a long-term project and we will still keep trying for a lottery grant."

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