THORNTON Manor will be turned into a luxury leisure complex by the summer of 2004.

Work on the ancestral home of the Leverhulme family will see the Manor transformed into a private members club with a hotel, spa, health club and range of new eateries.

Plans for the new development were first submitted in 2001 - causing a stir amongst conservationists keen to protect the historically important gardens and buildings.

Lee Magner, a London-based property entrepreneur, purchased the property for £3.5m in 2001 and work was expected to start in 2002.

Mr Magner said: "Any developer hopes that a project can be finished as soon as possible but what we are doing is very large so it has taken a lot of planning."

Work on the site is now due to be completed in 2004 but a marketing suite and show apartment will be opened this spring.

Mr Magner added: "The first phase comprises the development of the stable block and a number of the outbuildings on the estate into 17 unique residential apartments, which are being offered for sale on long leases with the benefit of a buy to let investment package and founder membership of the club."

The club is likely to be one of the most sought after in the North West and is expected to create about 100 jobs.

Thornton Hall was put on the market after the third and last Lord Leverhulme died in July 2000.

The redevelopment has been planned closely with English Herritage in order to protect the buildings, some of which have Grade II* status.

It is hoped that the luxurious spa and extensive gardens will attract the rich and famous to the club - perhaps even the golfing stars attending the Open in 2006