Almshouse to haunted student digs: historic Newcastle building to become affordable homes

Keelman's hospital, which housed dockers in 1700s, awarded 4.6m lottery grant after lying empty for 16 years

It was built 300 years ago as an almshouse for men who did some of the most backbreaking and dangerous work on the River Tyne.

Most recently it provided fun, if chilly, accommodation for students. Now a new chapter is to be written in the history of a building considered the most at-risk structure in Newcastle, with the announcement of 4.6m lottery money to convert it into affordable housing.