A GRADE II-listed town centre building which was the birthplace of one Blackburn's finest athletes is going up for auction.

39-41 King Street, which houses the Cellar Bar, a recording studio and web design company JP74, is expected to fetch around £400,000.

On February 10, 1847, Albert Neilson Hornby was born at the house.

His family owned cotton mills in Brookhouse and were among the most prominent business people in the town, but Monkey' Hornby, as he was known, went onto excel in sport.

He captained England at rugby and cricket. Hornby led out Lancashire Cricket Club for 20 years as part of a 33-year career and was also a good boxer and runner.

He became involved in football after forming his own team, although newspaper reports say that on one occasion while playing for Rovers he became slightly confused by the emerging sport after catching the ball and tucking it under his arm before running towards goal.

A plaque marking his birthplace is displayed on the King Street building.

Today the imposing 18th Century townhouse is in need of renovation.

And current owner, Blackburn businessman Dan Hook, who has recently acquired Acme Tool Hire which he said resulted in the building's sale, is awaiting the auction with interest.

He said: "I hope the right person gets it.

"It is a beautiful old building and will be a beautiful place when it is refurbished."

The King Street three-storey property was built in 1778 by Hornby's father William Henry Hornby, the first mayor of Blackburn.

Coun Andy Kay, the borough's regeneration cabinet member, said time might be running out for anyone wanting to take full advantage of grants on offer for refurbishing the historic premises.

He said: "Architecturally, it is the most important building within the conservation area.

"The council has for many years been encouraging its restoration and renovation to bring back into use vacant floor space.

"However time is running out as grant aid towards an eligible scheme is only available through the Blackburn Town Centre Historic Buildings Programme during 2007/08."

Preston-based Pugh's is putting the Hornby landmark up for grabs in a Manchester Airport auction on April 18.