A newspaper’s historic home is set to be converted into 18 flats.

The old Wigan Observer office at Wallgate will be transformed into a series of one-bedroom apartments.

The red brick premises still bears the name ‘The Observer Building’, although the paper hasn’t been based there since the 1970s.

According to the Observer’s Wigan Today website, the property will be developed by Steve Haigh, with funding from Blackfinch Property amounting to £600,000.

The flats will be built across three storeys, providing “much-needed accommodation for the town”.

Philip Downie, investment manager at Blackfinch Property, told Wigan Today: “We are very happy to have completed on the development financing for this project, which will restore this beautiful red brick building in the centre of Wigan to its former glory.

“But we are particularly pleased this development will bring much-needed jobs to this area, and that the developer will be working closely with them to ensure the building has a minimal environmental impact.

“We were delighted to be able to offer development lending to Steve Haigh for this project, and look forward to supporting him with this development.”