THE public is being asked to help determine the fate of one of Ulverston's most historic properties.

Council bosses have launched a new survey on the future of the town's Sir John Barrow Cottage, at Dragley Beck.

They hope residents will take part to help guide council members on a range of options for the Grade II listed home in the future.

It is also designed to gauge how much interest there is in the building and its importance as the birthplace of the famous writer among people who live across the area.

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Ulverston town councillor James Airey said the council was determined to secure a long term future for the cottage as soon as possible.

"This is an absolutely genuine consultation. The whole council is agreed that we need to find a use for this cottage," he told the Evening Mail.

"It has been neglected for some years and looks awful.

"It needs money spending on it so it's here for future generations, but we can't spend a large amount of taxpayers' money without finding out what people think about that first."

Cllr Airey added: "It's a listed building so its future is secure - but we need to know in what form that future should be."

The cottage had been open to the public while it was leased to Ulverston Heritage First.

However, it has been closed since the group was dissolved.

The options for the 500-year-old birthplace of Sir John Barrow set out within the survey include the prospect of leasing it to an arts group as a culture hub and community meeting room in the future.

People can also give their opinion on whether UTC should continue to fund its maintenance if it is leased out - with between £20,000 and £30,000 of restoration work thought to be required.

Selling off the former sweet shop is another option - with the money from its sale reinvested in other projects in the town - while any appetite for it to be used as a business premises will also be measured.

People can take part in the survey online here though paper copies are also available from the Coronation Hall or Ulverston Library.

The responses will be collected and analysed from October 3 before being presented to elected members.

READ MORE: Public can help decide future of 500-year-old Ulverston property

Sir John Barrow factfile

- Sir John Barrow was born on June 19, 1764 and died at the age of 84. His career saw him travel the world as a statesman and writer, ultimately becoming the second secretary to the Admiralty and charged with running the British Navy

- Some of his many talents included being a maths teacher and speaking Chinese

- The Barrow Strait in the Canadian Arctic and Barrow in Alaska are named after him

- Sir John Barrow's life and work are also commemorated in the famous monument on Hoad Hill, which overlooks Ulverston. It was built in 1850 and was restored at a cost of £1.2m in 2009/10.