A barn where a drug dealer was tortured to death will not be demolished.

Owners Manchester University said the outhouse, where Brian Waters died almost two years ago, would remain part of Burnt House Farm in Tabley.

The university is currently spending tens of thousands refurbishing the farm but it is unsure whether it will be sold or let.

"The preferred option is to let it out because it is not a particularly great time to sell in terms of the market," said a spokesman.

Mr Waters - beaten to death in June 2003 over a £20,000 drugs debt - had rented the farm through an agent so he could grow cannabis in the farmhouse.

In August James Raven, 46, of Bolton, and John Wilson, 55, of Glossop, were jailed for life for murdering the father of two.

The jury at Chester Crown Court failed to reach a verdict against Otis Matthews, 27, of Manchester. But he was found guilty in December after a retrial.

After the initial trial, the police released pictures of inside the wrecked farmhouse.

Kitchen cupboards and radiators had been ripped off the walls, part of the building had been flooded and cannabis and debris were strewn across the floor of every room. Last week the university admitted that much needed to be done to repair the damage.

"It has been empty for months so there is a lot to be done," said the spokesman.

"And as time goes on we could uncover more work that needs doing. We just do not know."

On Thursday a nearby neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she was pleased that the site was now being renovated. "I'm always glad to see old buildings like that being put back to their original look," she said.