Work is expected to begin later this year for a 1998 grand opening with grants of around £1.7m believed to be earmarked for the Morts Astley Heritage Group scheme to rejuvenate the former village manorial home.

Astley's hall - the Dam House of Mort family fame and later a hospital administration centre - has stood forlorn since Astley Hospital closed in 1994.

Now the perseverance of dedicated locals has paid off and Dam House should once again become the village focal point with a new clinic, nursery, doctors' and community facilities.

Health chiefs have applauded news of the Morts Group lottery and European funding bids being approved in principle by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

A Wigan and Leigh Health Services NHS Trust spokesman said:"This is extremely good news for Wigan and Leigh Trust. The Priority Services Division have been delighted to develop the proposal in conjunction with the DHA and MAHG.

"Revenue implications of this scheme have been incorporated in the purchaser plan and have received full commitment by Wigan and Bolton Health Authority.

"Relocation of services to this facility will enable the Wigan and Leigh Trust to deliver health care in purpose built surroundings to meet health needs, promote local ownership of and participation in services.

"It will enable flexibility of service availability and collaboration with GPs, statutory and non-statutory organisations."

Funding has been secured with the assistance of Wigan Council's Resource Procurement Team and Metro team spokesman Peter Rollinson, who helped tap into Euro funding, said: "The whole project will cost around £1.7million, but the exact amount of lottery funding and Rechar European Programme money has still to be determined. "There is much to be done by way of details, such as design work, leases and improvements to the grounds.

"Nevertheless, in comparison with the perseverance of the Morts Astley Heritage Group required to secure the majority of the funding, these are small undertakings.

"It is intended to start work within six months and to be able to open Dam House to the public within a year."

Christine Jones, a driving force behind Dam House revival plans, and leader of the Morts Astley Heritage Group, said:"We've received a welcome boost as the Heritage Lottery Fund indicated their support for the restoration.

"Gaining approval is a great step forward to preserve the former Astley Hospital which stands in 17 acres of woodland - a conservation area and A site of biological importance.

"We are absolutely delighted to receive this support which takes us a step nearer securing Dam House and the woodland for the people of Astley."

She revealed restoration plans included private nursery and educational centre accommodation and schemes to improve the historic woodland with nature trails plus cleaning and restocking the dam.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.