An historic listed building will be reopened to the public after decades of uncertainty.

Workington Hall, which has been on the English Heritage 'at risk' register, will once again throw open its doors after safety work is carried out later this year.

The hall, which is a scheduled ancient monument and Grade I listed building, was closed to the public more than a decade ago.

The council-owned building fell into disrepair in the 1970s.

But Councillor Michael Heaslip, chairman of Friends of Workington Hall Parklands, said the hall's courtyard will be safe to be used for public events once stabilisation work is completed in September.

Mr Heaslip said possibilities could include theatrical performances, music events and birds of prey displays, while the work would also make it feasible for the popular ice rink to return.

He said: "It's a continuation of the work we've done on the fabric of the hall, repairing the masonry of the walls, removing vegetation and capping walls so that water doesn't get in.

"It might not look like it but there's been a lot of work going on. It's securing the building.

"That should be the last main work needed, although there'll obviously be routine maintenance.

"Once that's done we should be able to open the hall up again, or at least the courtyard."

He continued: "The important thing we want to do is get that courtyard open because we want to use it as an events space.

"It'll need a bit more work to open the inside of the building."

Tony Wareing, chairman of Workington Heritage Group, was delighted to hear that people would be able to enter the courtyard again.

He said: "As far as I'm concerned it can't happen too soon to open the hall up to the public again.

"I'd like to think this is the first step in developing the whole of the hall area from the court up to the skatepark, which is what we as Workington Heritage Group wanted to do."

Tony said he would like to see something similar to the £12m restoration of Cardigan Castle in Wales carried out on the hall.

He also suggested a CCTV system should be installed to deter would-be vandals.

Mr Heaslip said he hoped a bigger plan to develop the hall and surrounding parklands could be drawn up.

He added: "It's the only building I know of in the north west which has that level of heritage so it's one of the most important buildings in the area.

"It's important that we look after it properly.

"It was given for the benefit of the people of Workington and we need to make sure the people of Workington can enjoy the gift they were given."

Workington Hall was based around an original tower dating back to 1362.

It was once home to the Curwen family and Mary, Queen of Scots, spent her last night of freedom in the hall.