A businesswoman who turned an historic school into a DIY store has been ordered to demolish a new entrance she had built.

Simmy Ahktar appealed to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister after she was told by Bradford Council to pull down the structure at the former Feversham Street First School in Leeds Road, Bradford, as it breached listed building regulations

But a Government planning inspector has dismissed her appeal to keep the revised entrance at the building which dates back to 1876 and was England's first higher elementary board school.

The Grade Two star listed building was rated as "fine expansive Gothic style" architecture by Government inspector Anthony Wharton who dealt with the appeal.

Miss Ahktar had asked for a six month compliance period and retention of a ramp because she argued it was needed for disabled customers.

She said when she opened the shop two years ago she had hoped it would be the start of a chain of shops which would help her make her name in the business world.

She said she now ultimately wanted to develop the building into apartments but needed time to get surveys and plans drawn up and organise funding.

Family and friends had originally loaned money to help her buy the former Muslim girls' school.

Miss Ahktar said: "Half of the entrance is an extension which had already been built by the school without permission and I took it out further. It was already there.

"I have told the Council I will use the finest materials and improve it.

"I have spent thousands of pounds on it and now it is going to cost even more to take it down.

"I want to make the building residential but needed to get my plans together. This is very disappointing."

A Council spokesman said: "The appeal related to the requirements of the Council's listed building enforcement notice to demolish the extension and ramp and remove all materials within two months.

"The Secretary of State has dismissed the appeal and said that the requirements of the notice should be carried out within two months. If the notice has not been followed by May 20 we will consider prosecution."