LOTTERY cash could be used to restore Warrington's historic town hall to its original Georgian splendour if a bid by borough chiefs is successful.

Discussions have already been held with the Lottery's Heritage Committee in an attempt to secure funding to refurbish the former Georgian town house.

Borough councillors want to reclaim office space on the town hall's top floor and turn them back into civic rooms complete with period decor.

Council officials are already planning to leave the building for new offices at New Town House on Buttermarket Street.

They are now working on an official application which is likely to be submitted to the Heritage board by the end of the year.

Council spokesman Dave Bamford said: "The aim is to transform the building back to its original state and splendour.

"It has been said that the town hall is one of, if not the finest example of a Georgian town house in the north of England.

"If the bid is successful then we aim to open the building back up for civic and public uses on a regular basis," he said.

The building's historic past was on display to the public last Sunday for the third annual heritage open day.

More than a thousand people from as far a field as California and Siberia flocked to the open day to learn about the seat of local Government.

Added Mr Bamford: "The event gets bigger and better every year and we were packed out from start to finish."

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