A STOP the Rot success story will get its grand reopening this weekend after a £110,000 restoration.

The Lord Mayor, Cllr Joan Lang, will give official approval to the unique West Derby courthouse at a ceremony on Saturday.

The sandstone Tudor structure is the only free-standing post-medieval courthouse in Britain and dates from 1586 when it was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth I, as Lady of the Duchy of Lancaster manor of West Derby.

But it was deteriorating and was on the English Heritage's 'buildings at risk' register as well as the ECHO's Stop the Rot hitlist.

Funding from the city council's buildings at risk programme and a £45,000 English Heritage grant funded the repairs, with replacement sandstone brought from St Bees in Cumbria because there were no red sandstone quarries left in Liverpool, and traditional lime and mortar used.

Stephen Guy, of the West Derby Society, said: "The courthouse reopened last July, and over the summer it had morethan 900 visitors. It was a great success considering there was very little publicity.

"This year so far we've been averaging 50 people each Sunday, although we've had up to 106 visitors in one afternoon."

The city's executive member for heritage, Cllr Berni Turner, said: "It's a credit to all the volunteers and local people who have got involved and to the council officers and English Heritage who have really pulled together on the project."

The courthouse has document cupboards dating from the early 18th century, which are believed to have come from the home of the Earl of Sefton when he moved to Croxteth hall. The date 1711 is carved into the wood.

The official reopening is at 10.30am this Saturday. The courthouse is open from 2-4pm every Sunday from April to October and entry is free.

Hidden Charm - a must!!