LIVING in an award-winning building that is also a piece of history is a delight, according to Warwick House occupants Roger and Sheila Lewis.

The couple were among the first to buy a property in the former department store known in its heyday as the Harrods of the West Midlands.

Richard Webb, who saved Warwick House from demolition, was presented with an award from Malvern Civic Society this week for his outstanding work.

Most of the original structure was kept and the Lewis's home actually has the original staircase and chimney running down the centre.

However, one truly historic feature that Mr Webb believes he did banish for good is the ghost of Warwick House.

For decades, staff working in the store thought the ghost of Mrs Warwick haunted it, as racks of clothes would frequently start swaying for no apparent reason.

During the renovation, Mr Webb found the holes in the wall he thinks were actually responsible for the spooky goings-on.

Traditional sash windows can still be seen at Warwick House, but the large store-front windows did not survive, a relief to the Lewis's, whose bedroom is now where the display rooms once were.

Mr Lewis said it was a privilege to live in the house, as they had often visited the department store and Mrs Lewis still owns a suit which she bought there.

"The building has a lot of charm," he said. "It's very elegant."

All four floors of the building have stunning views and once inside, the noise of passing traffic cannot be heard, making it an idyllic town house.

Mr Webb said: "The project means a lot to me and the people of Malvern because Warwick House has always been a symbolic building within the town. It was a great shame to see it go into dilapidation. I think it's now as the original owners would have wanted it."

Mr Webb was involved with Warwick House in its final retailing years and his old office is now the Lewis's sitting room.

The award he received is made annually by Malvern Civic Society to a new or renovated building that makes a significant contribution to Malvern.

The store was founded in 1833 by George Warwick, who formed a partnership with Thomas Cox.

By 1867 Cox and Painter, as it was known, had expanded considerably into new premises (Warwick House) designed by local architect George Haddon, with many shop products being made in the firm's own attic, basement and yard workshops.

Sadly, towards the end of the 20th Century the store went into decline and eventually closed.

With the help of the late Coun John Ford, Mr Webb devised a scheme for high-class flats and houses to preserve the building.

Malvern Civic Society was impressed by the way in which the Victorian core of the building has been carefully preserved and the way it has been sympathetically redesigned to sit comfortably with neighbouring properties.