The former home of artist L S Lowry is to be converted into flats after it sold for just �95,000.

The owners had struggled to sell the Greater Manchester artist's house in Salford since April this year.

Initially the five-bedroom property in Station Road, Pendlebury, was on the market for �200,000 in the hope it could become a visitor centre to celebrate Lowry's work.

However, it failed to sell at auctions held in Liverpool and London and has now been sold to developers who will turn the historic building into apartments.

the fact that Lowry used to live there added no value to the house whatsoever Owner Brian Roberts

Antique dealer Brian Roberts, 61, who bought the house almost three years ago for �78,000, said he was disappointed.

"A little bit of history will be lost," said Mr Roberts.

"It's a shame there has been no interest. There was some interest from Lowry fans but I think the price was too much.

"It seems the fact that Lowry used to live there added no value to the house whatsoever."

Lowry lived in the house for 40 years until 1948 when he moved to Mottram-in-Longdendale, Cheshire.

Financial problems

His official biographer Shelley Rohde said the Salford house was very important to Lowry's early work.

He became famous for his industrial matchstick men sketches that were inspired by living and working in the Salford area.

Mrs Rohde said the Lowry family had previously lived in the plush area of Victoria Park in Manchester but were forced to move because of financial problems.

Mrs Rohde said: "This was Lowry's first introduction to the industrial revolution and after that he decided what to paint."

She said the most fitting tribute to Lowry is the display of his work at the Lowry Centre in Salford.