Residents and campaigners hoping to save historic Newall Green Farm will get a chance to meet its new owners and discuss the the building’s future next week.

Andrew Milne from Zeno Ltd who bought the 16th century listed building recently will talk about their plans for the site which was the scene of a devastating fire last weekend.

The meeting will be held at the Firbank Pub on Thursday July 3 at 6pm.

It had been feared the historic building in Wythenshawe would have to be demolished following the fire on Saturday.

But hopes are high the buildling can be saved and that plans to restore the site remain on course.

And in an impressive display of community spirit, a Facebook group, which has gained dozens of new members in the last few days, has rallied to organise the meeting next week

Firefighters were called to the derelict farm on Saturday to fight the blaze,  believed to have been started when a large group of local youths were in the building.

It was reported that up to 15 children, one as young as six were in the building when it caught fire.

Newall Green Farm was built in the sixteenth century and fell into disrepair when its last occupants died.

It was sold to property  developers who wanted to build luxury flats. But they abandoned the scheme when planning permission was refused.

And recently, Andrew Milne announced the purchase of the site and plans to start the process of developing the farm for the benefit of the local community as a registered care home.