The house of Cranford author Elizabeth Gaskell is opening its doors after a £2.5m refurbishment that has returned it to the style of the writer's era.

The 19th Century villa in Manchester had fallen into disrepair after being used as a student hall of residence, but has been furnished with period items and replicas.

It will be fully open to the public for the first time from tomorrow and definitely worthwhile a visit to admire the restoration, and soak up history from the life of this remarkable writer..

Her friend, Charlotte Bronte once described it in a letter as "a large, cheerful, airy house, quite out of Manchester smoke - a garden surrounds it, and as in this hot weather, the windows were kept open - a whispering of leaves and perfume of flowers always pervaded the rooms".