Pictures reveal historic manor house's fire damage

The fire-hit 18th Century manor house is "significantly at risk" of dry rot spreading

A Grade II-listed manor house that was damaged in a fire three years ago could cost up to £20m to restore, the country estate's director has said.

Thornton Manor, in the Wirral village of Thornton Hough, was ravaged in a fire caused by an electrical fault in the building's roof.

Photographs from the Local Democracy Reporting Service have revealed the extent of the damage to the 19th Century building from the fire in 2022 and subsequent exposure to the elements.

One of the estate's directors, Philip Cowan, said: "It's been a very difficult period. It makes me more determined to get the thing restored."

Thornton Manor was home to industrialist and politician William Lever from 1888

Mr Cowan said bookings to use the building as a wedding venue had dropped by 80% since the fire, which destroyed three of its marquees.

The estate said it could cost £15m to £20m to fully restore the manor house.

It has submitted a planning application to Wirral Council to reinstate the marquees in the hope of helping to generate more revenue.

Debris and furniture has fallen into the dilapidated building from its higher floors

Mr Cowan said: "At the moment we need to get business in so we can break even."

Ben Mansell, the manor's accountant and legal adviser, said the building was at "significant risk" of dry rot spreading.

"Even though we might not be able to restore it properly, we might be able to prevent it from getting worse," Mr Cowan added.

The manor still has rooms that are used for weddings

A dining room and reception area, as well as a large number of rooms that looked out over the estate's grounds, were also destroyed in the fire on 5 February 2022.

The fierce blaze resulted in the ceiling collapsing, sending debris and furniture crashing into the rooms below.

The manor was home to William Lever - who built the soap factory and famous model village at nearby Port Sunlight - from 1888.