AN historic building next to Blackburn Cathedral is being taken apart bit by bit as part of the area’s redevelopment.

St Mary’s House, which had been used as diocesan offices, is in the process of being demolished to make way for part of the ambitious Cathedral Quarter development.

Cranes could be seen this week lifting the roof off the structure.

And workmen have been busy demolishing the building brick by brick.

Canon Andrew Hindley said: “Some of the stone and all of the slate will be reused on the new building.

“Anything that is not used will be taken off-site and recycled elsewhere.

“It is quite unusual for an old building like this to be taken apart bit by bit.

“We are sad it is being demolished but it had reached the end of its life.”

The building was used as offices and it was originally a house for the clergy.

It was also once used as the song school used by the choirs.

The removal of St Mary’s house is the final demolition required before work can begin on the new Clergy Court, part of the £33million development in Blackburn town centre.