A boarded-up landmark building near Carlisle city centre is poised to be transformed into nearly 40 new homes.

The former student flats at the Old Brewery building - a stone's throw from Carlisle Castle - would be used to provide "affordable" properties.

Impact Housing, which owns the building, has officially submitted a planning application to Carlisle City Council to revamp the building into flats and maisonettes.

A document prepared for Carlisle city councillors says: "The site comprises a group of five buildings.

"These currently accommodate 35 student flats, a warden's flat, central office and common room.

"The application is for the change of use of all student flats to housing, plus the change of use of the office and common rooms to a further flat.

"The warden's flat will be retained and modified.

"When complete the development will include 23 two-bedroom flats, 10 two-bedroom maisonettes, three single bed flats and one three-bedroom flat."

A decision to close the halls of residence - on the site of the former Theakston's Brewery - was made following a fall in student numbers.

A youth hostel used to operate on the site in the summer.

A spokesman for Impact Housing said: "The existing student accommodation buildings are no longer viable in their current form and given that there is a reduced demand for accommodation in the vicinity, alternative uses have been under review.

"The peak accommodation of 198 students has reduced to a level of 40 in 2016.

"The belief is that this is an exciting proposal which can bring life into now empty buildings and a key area of Carlisle.

"Impact Housing have the skills, resource and experience of such projects and have the support of many partner agencies and funding bodies to fulfill their ambitions for this site."

The student rooms at the Old Brewery are not equipped with ensuite bathrooms and it is thought that this, along with the falling numbers, contributed to students opting to live elsewhere.

Anyone wanting to comment on the planning application has until December 23 to do so.