THE house on Manchester Road, Leigh, built by late eccentric and local legend Jesse 'The Cropper' Graham has been sold to neighbouring Waterfield's bakery.

The house, built by hand over a nine-year period by the former cycling Leigh barber (pictured), was bought by Waterfield's who have long wanted the site to be incorporated into their complex.

Bakery chief Richard Waterfield said: "We have bought 'Cropper's Hall' but have not yet decided what to do with it. We did try to buy it off Jesse while he was alive but he wouldn't sell it then.

"We wanted the house for a number of reasons.

"Besides knowing Jesse, who used to cut my hair when I was five yers old, we also wanted it because we didn't want someone else buying it then complaining about the noise of our early morning delivery lorries.

"We paid slightly over the market value for it but we still haven't decided what to do with it. We had thought of having it converted but because Jesse built it himself the roof has asbestos in it and would have to be totally replaced.

"We may remove the rear of the house and leave the front facade as a lasting tribute to Jesse who everyone knew and liked."

He died earlier this year aged 82 after a short illness and a spell in hospital.

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