A rental flat secretly transformed into a “fantasy world” by tenants has been given Grade II listed status after volunteers launched a rescue operation.

Ground floor apartment in a semi-detached house in Oxton, merseysidedecorated by artist Ron Gittins, who has lived there for more than 30 years.

He crafted fireplaces in the shapes of lions and minotaurs, built a Roman altar in the kitchen and painted the walls with floor-to-ceiling murals of Egyptian, Greek and maritime themes.

Mr Gittins allowed only a few people into the home, but when his niece Jan Williams came to visit after his death in 2019, she set out to save the property, known as the Ron House. Apartment as its own mission.

She said: “He created his own fantasy world in his rented apartment. You hear about people whose landlords wouldn’t return their deposits because they left blue marks on the walls, but he created a whole Minotaur Fireplace!”

Mr Gittins’ work has now become the first example of “outsider art” – a term used to refer to work done by those without traditional training – and has been recommended by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport ( DCMS) Awarded Grade II Listing: Historic England.

Rock star Jarvis Cocker is among those supporting efforts to save the apartments.

The former Pulp frontman said: “A small percentage of people on the planet already know that Ron’s Place is a very special place – but from now on, it’s official: Ron’s Place has been granted listed status!

“A unique gentleman from the north of England is being recognized nationally and globally for his work. Hallelujah!”

Ms Williams initially said she and other volunteers applied to have the property listed to “ward off evil spirits” and scare off property developers.

But a donation last year meant the group they set up, the Wirral Arts and Culture Community Land Trust, was able to buy the house at auction and now hopes to use it to inspire other artists.

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Ms Williams, who like her late uncle was an artist, said: “We always had the idea of ​​a holistic arts home.

“I’m sure that’s what Ron wanted, and going public gives us more credibility.”

She believed Mr Gittins, who has died aged 79, would be “ecstatic” about the decision.

She added: “He was really proud of it. It was sad because when I was going through his things I found a postcard he had written to me and it said ‘I can’t wait to show you what I am’ things done’.”

“He wrote the wrong address so it was returned to him, which I never saw but it proved my point and I thought he would be compensated given that we had done our best.”

Sarah Charlesworth, Historic North of England’s listing team leader, said: “Ron House is testament to Ron Gittins’ unique artistic achievement and vision spanning four decades.

“The extent to which Ron’s creation inspired action by local people to raise funds to purchase the building and ensure his legacy is preserved is testament to the value of this extraordinary project and why it has earned a place on the National Heritage List .U.K.”