A FORMER asylum built in 1890 where electric shock therapy was pioneered has been sold by the area's health board.

Hartwood Hospital in Lanarkshire is now in the hands of Wishaw-based construction company, The Taylor Group Scotland Limited.

The hospital closed in 1998 but the main building was initially used as a TV centre before being completely abandoned.

In 2004, a fire destroyed several roofs and severely damaged the inside of the west clock tower.

The original hospital was overseen by Dr Archibald Campbell Clark, the medical superintendent, and was involved with the inception of modern psychiatric therapies such as occupational therapy and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).

In the hospital style of the time, Hartwood was entirely self-sustaining, with its own farm, gardens, reservoir, graveyard, staff house and even a railway.

NHS Lanarkshire chief executive Calum Campbell said: “The Taylors Group are aware of the heritage of the site and have made a commitment to respect this.

“NHS Lanarkshire’s property and support services team currently has the site’s former war memorial plaque in its possession and it is our intention to work in partnership with the company and the local community to ensure it is restored within any development of the site.”