Hurstwood Hall, one of East Lancashire's most historic buildings, has been put up for sale, the asking price is in excess of £450,000.

The hall was built in the hamlet of Hurstwood in 1579 by Barnard Towneley, clerk of works to Christopher Wren, who designed St Paul's Cathedral in London.

Local historian James Howell said history recorded Barnard Towneley was an illegitimate son of the Towneley family. He married Agnes Ormerod when she was aged 12 or 13.

The present occupiers of the hall, Susan Reader and her husband David, a partner with his cousin in the scrap metal business Wallace Reader and Son Ltd, Calder Street Mill, Burnley, have lived at the grade two listed hall for ten years.

Susan was born at the Talbot Hotel, Burnley, where her family then lived and her husband is from Barrowford.

They lived in Great Harwood and then at Ivy Mount at the top of Brunshaw Hill, a building thought to have been erected with stones from Worsthorne Old Hall.

Susan said: "We are now planning to move locally although we have nowhere in mind. Hurstwood Hall is a family home which should be lived in by a family."

Agnes had already lost her father and a brother by the time she was married in 1550. The marriage lasted until Agnes's death in 1586. Her husband survived her by 16 years.

Barnard Towneley was an architect and builder. He bought the land on which the hall stands from his wife's cousin, a man by the name of Haydock.