A threatened Liverpool landmark could be saved after a property developer expressed an interest in converting it into apartments.

Manchester-based regeneration company - Urban Splash - said it was considering bidding for the Stanley Dock warehouse.

It was built in 1900 to store tobacco and is claimed to be the world's biggest brick-built structure.

But its owners want to demolish it unless a buyer is found, saying it is too expensive to convert into offices or apartments, like other industrial buildings in the city.

Liverpool Collegiate was turned into flats

They say its small windows and very low ceilings - designed to help preserve tobacco leafs - make it too expensive to convert into flats.

Campaigners have called for it to be saved - hailing the warehouse as one of the city's premier landmarks.

Urban Splash director Bill Maynard told BBC News Online he hoped it could be turned into a mixture of offices and living space.

The firm has already converted the former Liverpool Collegiate building into apartments.

It is also responsible for similar regeneration developments in Manchester and Birmingham.

Attractive Project

He said: "The warehouse is part of the city's maritime heritage and it would be a shame to lose it.

"It would certainly be an attractive project if we could convert it - but it needs detailed analysis by engineers and architects first.

"We are certainly interested in saving it and have informed its owners of our interest."

The Grade II listed structure goes on sale this week.

If faces demolition if a buyer is not found by the end of the year.