AN historic but dilapidated building in the heart of Burnley’s Weavers’ Triangle is set to be saved by regeneration bosses.

Experts say Neptune House, the oldest remaining structure in the landmark area, could soon collapse unless cash is spent to improve its infrastructure.

The three-storey, 200-year-old building, in Sandygate, has been left exposed to the weather, leaving it with decay and fungal-infected walls and timbers. Vandals have also pilfered stone slates off the roof.

Now senior councillors are set to rubber stamp a £65,000 spend to shore up the building ahead of a planned multi-million pound regeneration of the former mill area.

And the proposal has been backed by the chairman of Burnley’s civic society.

Roger Frost, who also sits on Burnley Council’s executive, said: “Neptune House is a small but significant building and it is important to save it.

“It dates from around 1825 and was originally a pub but I remember it being a printing company in later years.”

The £65,000 cash injection comes after the North West Development Agency (NWDA) earlier this month handed Burnley £4.9million to buy up historic Weavers’ Triangle buildings.

The major scheme was last year put on the back-burner because of the credit crunch but regeneration chiefs insist they are still committed to the area.

Although the historic Clock Tower, in Sandygate, burned down around 10 years ago, many other buildings remain standing.

Mr Frost added: “Neptune House is not in a good state but it is right in the heart of the former mill area.

“All the people involved recognise its significance and the fact that the NWDA has put so much money into the Weavers’ Triangle shows its importance.”

On Tuesday ((28)), members of Burnley Council’s executive will be asked to approve the £65,000 spend.

Councillors will be told in a report: “If left unattended, Neptune House would deteriorate rapidly and eventually be lost.

“Several buildings have already been lost in the Weavers’ Triangle in recent years, most notably Clock Tower Mill.”