A HISTORIC house will continue to be loaned to a community group at a rock bottom rate.

Churchfield House, in Great Harwood, will be leased by the Churchfield House Trust at a ‘peppercorn rent’, which means considerably below the market value.

The house, built in 1851 by surgeon Henry Ainsworth, was taken on by the group last year with the aim of restoring it.

It is hoped it will be used for events, weddings and community group meetings in the future.

Council documents read: “Churchfield House Ltd are already in possession and have been occupying the building since October 7, 2013. This was to enable the group to carry out minor improvement works and begin the process of increasing the use of the building by the residents of Great Harwood.”