Back of Cockermouth's Old Courthouse collapses into river

A cordon is in place outside the building after it collapsed early on Sunday

The back of a historic building in Cumbria has collapsed into a river.

The Grade II-listed Old Courthouse in Cockermouth, which sits on the River Cocker, was damaged at about 05:00 BST.

The Environment Agency said although the collapse happened near its flood walls, they remained "intact" and the town's flood risk had not increased.

Cumberland Council said there were no reports of any injuries but Cocker Bridge had been closed as a precaution while assessments were carried out.

It added that although some debris had landed into the river, it was still flowing.

The Environment Agency said it was working with the council "to minimise any potential environmental impacts".

The town suffered serious flooding during 2015's Storm Desmond, which "overwhelmed" its defences.

The building, which is around 190 years old and houses the The Honest Lawyer restaurant, was sold at auction in 2022

An investigation is under way into how the building collapsed. Concerns had previously been raised about its stability.

In 2021, the site was evacuated after heavy rain left its rear wall on the verge of collapse. It has not been used since.

The building, which is about 190 years old and housed the The Honest Lawyer restaurant, was sold at auction in 2022.

Brian Mitchelhill, who chairs the Cockermouth Emergency Response Group, told BBC Look North it had been "at risk for a number of months".

"We didn't quite expect this to happen and it's sad that it has come to this," he said.

"It is strange to see that part of it is crumbling away and it may never be restored to its former glory to be quite honest. We are not going to write it off just now."

The bridge over the River Cocker has been closed as a precaution

Karl Melville, assistant director for highways and transport at Cumberland Council, said the authority had been working with the building's owner for some months.

"Over the last couple of weeks we have seen the building deteriorate to where we are with this issue," he said.

"Cumberland Council has been working very closely with the building owner to try and resolve the issues that were in place at the time".

Cockermouth's mayor, Julie Laidlow, told BBC Radio Cumbria she hoped the front of the "iconic" building could be preserved.

"Quite a lot of the back part of the building has fallen into the river," she said.

"There is a section of the roof that the first high winds are going to take away.

"The bridge is going to be closed for the foreseeable until further investigations are done."

The building, pictured in 2022, was closed over fears a cracked wall could collapse

She said she had spoken to the building's owner, who was travelling to the scene, and said he was "devastated".

"I spoke to him this morning and he was in tears," she said.

"The safety of the public is his paramount importance. Everyone is just going to have to work together and do what we can."

A police cordon has been put in place with the road from Main Street into Market Square closed, including Cocker Bridge.

People have been asked to avoid the area and follow any diversions in place.

A Cumberland Council spokesperson said it was working with the emergency services and others to assess the damage and "take immediate steps" to protect public safety.

"The Old Courthouse is an iconic building in Cockermouth and we share local residents' sadness following the recent partial collapse of the building.

"This is a privately owned building and has been an ongoing issue. We continue to work with the owner of the property, and partners."

Damage to the privately owned building is being assessed