IT was once one of the region's grandest mansions, birthplace of a Prime Minister, a prisoner of war camp and is currently a school for troubled youngsters.

Now Windlestone Hall looks set to enter another phase in its history as councillors are preparing to put the impressive grade II-listed building up for sale.

The 19th Century hall, near Chilton, County Durham, is expected to be put on the market in the next few weeks by Durham County Council with a view to redevelopment, possibly for residential use.

The sale will follow the relocation of the school later this year, which has been housed there for almost half a century. It teaches about 60 secondary school-aged pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Built in 1835 and listed as being of historic importance, the hall was once the family home of 1950s Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden.

Council leader Ken Manton said: "As its listed status suggests, Windlestone Hall is a very important part of County Durham's built environment, and it is not a building we would want to lie empty for any length of time.

"It is essential that the sale is well advanced, if not complete, when the school relocates to minimise the risk to it and, of course, minimise the costs involved in keeping an empty building secure and weatherproof."

Work on a modern £6m replacement school began in September after county council education chiefs agreed that the country mansion was unsuitable for its current role.

As the 20 acres of parkland at Windlestone Hall are also Grade II-listed, which ruled out building a school in the grounds, the council opted to build the school on farmland it already owned in nearby Chilton.

The 60-place replacement school will cater for boys and girls and include residential provision for up to 20 youngsters, plus staff quarters.

Coun Manton said: "We anticipate a lot of interest in the sale of Windlestone Hall.

"Informal planning advice suggests the building would be suitable for residential conversion, although as a listed building, prospective buyers will need to obtain special planning approvals for alternative uses and improvements.

"We are confident that, with sympathetic treatment, it will remain an important part of the county's architectural heritage."

Durham County Council's cabinet will decide whether to put the property up for sale at a meeting next week, after which external agents will be appointed to manage the sale of the hall.

Meanwhile, expressions of interest can be lodged with the county council by calling 0191-383 4020.