More than 100 years ago Mansefield in Lanark generated keen interest at auction. The features that made the manse are still intact. However, certain areas require investment to restore its dignity

IT can sometimes be difficult for house hunters to see the potential of a house which is in need of some repair. It is unfortunate that some older houses can fall into disrepair or simply become tired looking and a little distressed. But with investment of time, money and patience, a house that looks unwelcoming at first can become a home to be proud of.

Mansefield in Lanark is a good example. It has enormous potential, and once all the necessary work and upgrading is done on it, it could prove to be a magnificent place to live.

Steeped in the history of the market town, there are references in local history books to the house. It has developed and grown over its 200-year history, from an austere, flat-fronted house to one with a grand entrance supported by Roman columns and reception rooms with huge bay windows.

A representative of Braxfield, the estate agent marketing the property, says: ''We understand the property was built in 1802 and subsequently redesigned in the late 1800s by the Church to create this quite unique family home.

''Mansefield is formed from the front section of what would originally have been a much larger dwelling. Consequently, there is an attached home to the rear of the main building which, along with garages and outhouses forms a courtyard layout.

''The house is ideally situated within walking distance of Lanark town centre's shops and amenities.''

The house, originally known as Lanark House, was prestigious enough to make the pages of the Edinburgh Evening Courant when it was sold at auction in 1872, which commented on the ''brisk competition'' for the dwelling.

The report says: ''The first offer was #100, and after extraordinary competition between Mr Davidson and Provost Brown, it was knocked down to the latter at #870. The bidders were frequently cheered.''

The house remained in the hands of the Church of Scotland until the 1950s and some older townspeople, who could not afford a church wedding, can still remember being married in the front room of Mansefield.

The house has four bedrooms, a living room, sitting room and kitchen.

As a B-listed building, the sash windows remain, and the owners maintain that the fireplace surround in one of the bedrooms is an original, designed by Robert Adam.

On ornate cornicing frames the rooms and the window from the stone stairs must be more than 10ft high. Georgian fanlights sit above two of the bedroom doors, giving an extra sense of period and luxury as well as compounding the plentiful natural light in the house.

There is a large loft that would have at one time served as servants quarters.

Mark Williams, a partner and chartered surveyor with DM Hall had the opportunity to pass a professional eye over Mansefield.

He said that any buyer would be best to have a timber and dampness specialist look at the house before purchasing, as there are some signs of dampness. They may not be serious, but the buyer will have to know what the source is and how much it will cost to remedy.

John Riley of Braxfield estate agents accepts that additional work to support the roof will be required, which could cost around #8000, but that the slates have been repaired in the past 15 years.

Williams advises that a specialist in sash encasement windows should be employed by the new owner to upgrade the windows and that the cornice in some of the rooms will need to be repaired if the house is to be restored to its original standard.

Other work that Williams recommends includes expert attention to the lagging on the hot water tank, repair to some of the pointing on the outside of the house, the air vents at ground level cleared and he suggests support bars on some of the lintels may need to be installed.

If a buyer was interested in using the building as an office, planning permission from the council would have to be sought for the change of use.

There are two stone storage outbuildings to the rear of the property which have the potential for conversion. One currently accommodates the boiler for the central heating system. In addition there is a stone built garage, suitable for parking a number of cars.

The garage and outbuildings form two sides of a courtyard to the rear with the central area being tarmaced and owned communally with the other, adjoining house.

Decoration and fittings have become somewhat dated over the years, however, many people will gladly refit a whole house simply to put their own stamp on it, regardless of the quality of what is already there.

The cost of fully upgrading the building is hard to estimate, as everything that needs to be done can only be ascertained by a comprehensive survey and proper expert advice on all the potential problems that it may have.

As for the internal refitting of the kitchen, bedrooms and reception rooms, the new owner will have their own opinion on what is suitable and that will cost whatever they are willing to spend.

However, Williams and Riley agreed that if Mansefield was fully restored, it would have a value of around #150,000.

Offers around #100,000 are invited. Viewings though Braxfield, telephone: 01555 666 990.