ONE of Preston's most historic town houses with links to the cotton trade has been sold, and looks set to return to residential use.

Number five Winckley Square was built by Thomas Miller in 1845 when he was proprietor of Horrockses Mill.

Now, after years of belonging to Preston College, it has been sold to a local housing developer, Blackthorne Homes, based at Runshaw Hall, Leyland, and it is believed they intend to turn it back into a residential building.

A spokesman for Eckersley and Co, sales agents for Preston College, said: "We have sold it to a developer who specialises in conversion of old buildings for residential purposes. We anticipate the large part of the scheme will be a residential conversion."

The famous house stands out among the many listed buildings overlooking the small park in the heart of the city. Winckley Square was once home to the area's richest and most influential members of society but these days it is more a mecca for solicitors and financiers.

Thomas Miller, who died in 1865 at the age of 54, became a chief partner in Horrockses after boss Samuel Horrocks died. He had the property built shortly after marrying into the Horrockses family.

Besides his interest in cotton, Miller was dedicated to Preston and even donated land to then town for a park, which was later to become Miller Park, still in existence today, next to Avenham Park.

The property is a grade two listed building and part of the Winckley Square Conservation Area. Because of the history of the square, Blackthorne are limited as to how they can develop the building.

Under a grade two listing both the inside and outside of the building are protected and any plans must go through the city council.

The three storey, red brick town house has an elaborate stone porch with decorative columns. On an archway above the door is an engraving of the letters 'TM' after the original owner.

Inside, the house is decorated with coloured glass and tiles, and a stone staircase.

The house was bought unconditionally and no applications for planning permission are thought to have been made by the new owners.

bhewes@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk