CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the council to get its Manor House in order.

Residents fear the Grade II listed Manor House Library in Old Road, Lee, will "fall apart" if no restoration work is done soon.

They blame the council for a series of delays which have blighted the project, first mooted six years ago.

In 2000, then Lewisham leader Dave Sullivan, set aside £1.75m for the restoration of the 18th-century building.

Three years later a bid to secure Heritage Lottery funding was rejected and the council retained control of the project.

According to campaign group the Users and Friends of Manor House Library, the council said the project would be finished by 2008.

But three years on no building work has begun.

Group chairman Peter Richardson said: "We never asked for golden elephants.

"We just want the money to be spent effectively for the benefit of the house, library and people."

Mr Richardson claims many residents are unhappy with part of the proposal which will see a glass-panelled extension built on the side of the building.

Users group member Eileen Hirst says this structure is "monstrous" and would be out of character with the rest of the building.

Commenting on the delays, she added: "Every day no work is done the building is deteriorating.

"The biggest fear is it will just fall apart. It would be a tragedy if such a thing happened.

"The library is a beautiful building and a positive thing for the area. We need the council to get a move on."

The council says it is "committed" to the refurbishment.

A spokesman added: "Due to difficulties restoring older buildings we are, at this time, unable to set a date for building work."