A group of historians took a tour of a Grade II listed former hotel, just before work begins to convert the building into apartments.

Harpenden Local History Society were invited to the Harpenden House Hotel in Southdown Road, around 40 years since the group's last visit.

The 17th century building was last used as a hotel before it closed down in 2014.

It is being converted into apartments and will be renamed Welcombe House.

Rosemary Ross, from the history society, said: “It was very important to us to try to understand how the Welcombe building developed from a timber-framed house and was adapted and extended throughout the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

“Being able to see the inside of the building with the walls stripped back ahead of the conversion gave us an intriguing insight, and we would like to thank Fairview for hosting our visit.”

Jeremy Gee, main board director for developers, Fairview, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the historians to the Welcombe building and we are pleased that they were able to gather plenty of evidence to help them piece together more of the history of this noteworthy building.

“Welcombe is an impressive building which has evolved over the past few centuries and is now in need of careful restoration and conversion."