THE future of a former Wirral home for seafarers' widows has been secured, with work on the iconic building to start in January.

Andrew Gibson House in Wallasey will now be brought back to life and be converted into a plush new development including apartment blocks and "gate houses" boasting views across the Mersey.

According to Craig Blackwell, director of Prospect Capital, 40% of the homes needed forward sales in order to start development, and on Wednesday, it was announced that target was met in just four weeks.

If the 40% had not been sold off, the site off Seabank Road would have been demolished.

Mr Blackwell said: "We are pleased and proud to be able to secure a bright future for this landmark site.

"It is tragic that an iconic building, with such a rich history, sat derelict for so long and we know that the Wirral community will be as thrilled as we are to see work begin on its reinvention.

"A main contractor has now been selected for the Andrew Gibson House project, ensuring that all of the work will be undertaken by a local workforce.

"As the Liverpool City Region economy continues to grow, it is increasingly important to us that we play our part in both preserving the region's heritage, as well as investing in its people and its future, by employing tradespeople and contractors from the local area."

Sales have "exceeded expectations", he said, and there is now a waiting list for the next phase.

Originally built as a home for the widows of seafarers, Andrew Gibson House seemed doomed back in 2015, when a request for listed status was refused and Wirral Council approved its demolition.

5,000 people then signed a petition to save the building, which had been standing vacant on Seabank Road for ten years.

Directors at Prospect Capital then became aware of the petition and stepped in, forming a partnership with the council and building owners Nautilus Welfare Group, to reverse the fortunes of the site.

Work on the  project is due to commence in January 2019.

The house will now be converted from its original use as a care home into 34 high-spec apartments, and the existing lodge house will be restored, with new residential developments also built on the 2.8 acre site.

These will include two five-bedroom gate houses, one three-bedroom house and three apartment blocks, resulting in 135 homes in total.

One of the new blocks, comprising 26 apartments, will be used by the mariner's charity as sheltered accommodation.