A building in the centre of town that had been unused for years has been transformed.

The building at Players Court, on Castlegate, Penrith, had been empty since 2017, but has now been turned into a block of 'affordable housing for local people'.

The four-storey building has been renovated by housing association Home Group, and has been converted into eight self-contained flats.

The building was once a furniture salesroom and a theatre for Penrith Players.

Lisa Russell, Home Group’s regional director for the North West, said: "Utilising empty town centre buildings and bringing vibrancy back into areas like this is exactly what is being called for up and down the country.

“We are delighted to be able revitalise the building and create eight brand new high quality homes for local people.

"It will be great to see people moving into them soon.

"The demand for homes in the town is high, like it is in most parts of Cumbria, so to be able to deliver these homes is really pleasing.”

As well as refurbishing the internal elements of the building, work has also been carried out to restore the historical façade of the building’s exterior.

The first people are expected to move into Players Court shortly.

Home Group has around 10,000 homes across Cumbria.