A famous house hewn from the rock in Knaresborough could be lived in for the first time in four-and-a-half years.

Pateley Bridge antiques dealer Andre Gora now owns the home built into a rock face overlooking the River Nidd, and has applied for permission to make it habitable.

The House in the Rock was a tourist attraction until five years ago, with visitors shown around by Knaresborough's Town Crier and former tenant Nancy Buckle. The house was her ancestral home.

She moved out so that former owner Ampleforth College could undertake extensive repairs, but was unable to return after it was sold.

Harrogate Borough Councillors will be recommended to grant permission on Tuesday.