CAMPAIGNERS are urging housing developers to fulfil a promise to restore two dilapidated old halls to their former glory.

Historic Worden Hall, Leyland, and Buckshaw Hall, situated in the former Royal Ordnance Factory site in Euxton, near Preston, are both in poor condition.

A clause for the restoration of both halls was imposed on the developing consortium Redrow/Barratt when they were granted permission to develop the site by South Ribble and Chorley councils.

Now campaigners are concerned that if action is not taken to restore the Grade II listed buildings their decline will become irreversible.

Developers have said surveys are currently being carried out to see how much work is needed to restore the halls.

Worden Hall and Buckshaw Hall are both registered as historically important buildings with the community.

Hazel Yates, honorary secretary of Chorley Civic Society, said: "We would like them both to be restored. They're part of the local heritage. We are worried that if the condition imposed on developers comes into force towards the end of the development period it may well be too late."

When complete 6,000 homes will be built at Buckshaw Village next to Leyland's Runshaw College adult education campus. Work is due to start in January and could last for ten years.

A spokesman for the developers said: "An initial analysis has already been made of Worden Hall and Buckshaw Hall.

"We will now conduct a more detailed, measured survey. A repair schedule will then be drawn up, with a view to beginning work in summer 2003.

"Work to make the buildings safe and to protect them from further deterioration is due to begin shortly."