A FORMER chemist's shop that has been boarded up in Scarborough's old town for more than half a century is being restored.

David Wilson, of SI Construction, is converting the 400-year-old property in Leading Post Street, near the harbour, into a cottage.

The work has attracted interest from conservationists including the Yorkshire Vernacular Society, because of its timber frame.

Chris Hall, Scarborough Borough Council's conservation officer, said "It is a surprising find. For years we suspected it must have a timber frame otherwise it would have fallen down by now."

He said the council had allowed some of the repairs because it is one of the oldest buildings in Scarborough's old town area.