A NEGLECTED Regency building that was once home to one of the silver screen's earliest stars has been brought back to its former glory following a three year battle.

This 200-year-old grade II listed building on the corner of Preston Street and Regency Square in Brighton was once home to screen actor Eva Moore but had fallen well below standards befitting such a film star in recent years.

Brighton and Hove City Council has been pursuing enforcement action over the past three years to bring the building back up to scratch, working with the property's owners.

Council officers are now celebrating their hard work paying off in turning round the vacant property, which had crumbling paintwork and boarded and bricked-up windows creating "a prominent eyesore" in one of the city's most prestigious conservation areas.

The building's rough edges have now been smoothed, repairs made and a new coat of paint applied matching the distinctive cream colour of the city's historic squares and terraces.

A new shopfront has been installed and a business is now operating from the office space at the rear of the site.

The property was built in 1818 and is attributed to prolific father and son architects Amon Wilds and Amon Henry Wilds.

The Wilds contributed much to the city's skyline including The Royal Albion Hotel, Brighton Unitarian Church in New Road, St Mary's Church at the corner of St James's Street and Upper Rock Gardens and Western Pavilion in Western Terrace.

The home was the birthplace of early screen actor Eva Moore in 1868, who went on to enjoy a startling six decades as a star of the early days of cinema.

She made her stage debut in London in 1887 and later starred in more than 24 films between 1920 and 1946.

As well as an active member of the suffragette movement, Mrs Moore also volunteered for the Women's Emergency Corps and raised funds for maritime and hospital causes during the First World War.

Councillor Julie Cattell, chairwoman of the city's planning committee, said: “This is one of our most important and prominent historic buildings and the council's intervention has effectively stopped its decline.

"We are really pleased that the owners have met all the requirements we asked for to bring this lovely building back to its best.”