The former Samuel's jewellers has been sold at last - and its new owner's hoping it'll be the 'jewel in the crown' of their properties in and around Ormskirk.

McComb Property of Burscough St. took the keys to the building on Monday after it had lain empty for almost three years - Samuel's left Ormskirk citing high overheads including commercial rent of over £50,000 a year.

The purchase price of the building has not been disclosed.

This morning Paul McComb of McComb Property said it was hoping to find a new tenant for the shop and convert the upper rooms for student accommodation.

"We want to to do our best for the town," he told QLocal "and hope our redevelopment of Samuel's reflects that."