A £130,000 restoration of a historic farmhouse is set to give it new lease of life as home to several heritage groups and a centre of ‘regional importance’.

The 400-year-old Astley Farmhouse, which forms part of the Chorley’s Astley Hall complex, has been completely restored so that it can be used by groups as a research centre and exhibition space.

Chorley Council has invested £130,000 to refurbish the Grade two listed building, which will now be used to showcase and celebrate local heritage, culture and the community.

The groups include the Chorley branch of the Lancashire Family History and Heraldry Society which is working with the council to open a new research centre and the Lodge Artists’ Society and the Chorley Photographic Society who will present a joint exhibition in the main ground floor exhibition space.

Upstairs is a special exhibition celebrating 75 years of ROF Chorley, which has been put together by various groups.

Astley Farmhouse dates back to the 17th century, or earlier and is one of the collection of buildings that formed the service area for Astley Hall.

The recent works have revealed the remnants of a timber frame which suggests the building was re-skinned in brick probably during the 18th century.

Apart from the re-skinning, the building has been greatly altered over the years with former cart door openings blocked up, door and window openings also closed and others created showing how the use of the building has evolved throughout its history.

Coun Beverley Murray said: “These latest works have been sympathetically designed to allow all the changes that have gone before to be clearly seen and will add yet another layer to the building’s history.

“The Farmhouse is just one of the many improvements we’re making to the Astley complex and it will be a vital heritage hub for the Chorley borough.

“It is part of the council’s ambitious Astley 2020 project that aims to create a sustainable centre of regional importance and attract even more visitors to the area.”