The man who will give a new lease of life to a historic Oswestry building has spoken about the plans.

Oswestry-born property developer Paul Murray will convert the Walls Restaurant – formerly the National School – on Welsh Walls, into houses.

He revealed work will begin later this week to turn the landmark and its grounds into three houses after he purchased half of the site this year.

Paul, who is now based in Leeds with his property development company and building firm, has always had a keen interest in historic buildings.

He said: "I've been keeping an eye on properties going on sale in Oswestry.

"I saw it [The Walls restaurant] and thought I'd like to do something with it – I used to wash dishes there when I was 14.

"It had been on the market for a couple of years but it didn't have planning permission in the beginning but that has been given now.

"Work will be starting there this week on three, two and three bed properties," he added.

"We've had a lot of positive feedback so far.

"And a lot of interest in the houses even before building has started."

The revamp will see the properties retaining historical and architectural features of the building, including doors, windows and staircases as to 'safeguard the character of the heritage asset', as noted in the planning officer's report after plans were given the go-ahead by Shropshire Council.

Oswestry Town Council's planning committee 'welcomed this historic and iconic property being brought back into use' and stated that 'it has been vacant for an extended period of time'.

And the report also noted that 'a building of such dimensions, volumes and location in the town cannot realistically convert into anything other than housing'.