Buxton beauty

The Crescent in Buxton, Derbyshire, once rated the most dilapidated Grade I listed building in England, has begun a new lease of life, spruced up at cost of pounds 1.5m.

The building, designed by John Carr of York in 1779 and built by the Duke of Devonshire was on the verge of collapse five years ago.

The campaign to save it involved the first and only compulsory purchase order by the Department of National Heritage and the first 100 per cent repairs grant by English Heritage. It is now owned by High Peak District and Derbyshire County councils.