A man in his 20s has paid £580,000 to become the new owner of a ruined historic Shropshire mansion, it has been revealed.

Bernard Goodwin, 23, of Hankelow, near Audlem, has bought Pell Wall Hall, just south of Market Drayton.

Mr Goodwin bought the property in December last year and title deeds from the Land Registry have now confirmed him as the buyer. He said he planned to restore Pell Wall Hall to a private residence.

He added: “The intention is to reinstate this country residence in empathy with Sir John Soane’s original drawings.”

Agents Strutt & Parker had advertised the sale with an asking price of £750,000, but Mr Goodwin’s lower offer was accepted.

In 1986 the hall was gutted by fire after a huge blaze ripped through the building, leaving it like a shell. But now there is fresh hope that the site could be restored to its former glory as part of Mr Goodwin’s plans.

Carol Chapman, secretary to Market Drayton Civic Society, welcomed the news and said: “It’s great if the new owner wants to restore it.

“We will obviously help him in any way we can. It’s such a wonderful building and it really is unique.

“It would be splendid to see it back in a state where it can be appreciated as a local and national treasure.”

Experts estimate the cost of restoring the hall could be between £2 and £5 million.

The grade II-listed house, constructed between 1822 and 1828, was the last private commission designed by Sir John Soane.