A 17th-century Georgian townhouse in the Market Place, Faringdon, was once the home of the town grocer.

And the property, which is above what was the grocery store and is now a florist, has a trapdoor in the sitting room which allowed the occupants to look down into the shop. After it ceased being a grocery in the 1970s, it was run as a wool shop and a tourist information centre.

Owners Vivienne and John Checkley have refurbished the property, restoring many of the original features.

Mr Checkley said: “The building had been subject to many changes over the centuries but had retained its current aspect since the late 18th century, when in common with other buildings in the Market Place it was refronted and redesigned in the Georgian style. One of the most interesting discoveries was a wall made of old packing cases used for tea.

“We wanted to open up the sitting room and could tell the dividing wall was a partition of sorts, as opposed to solid brick.

“It was only when we started to break the wall down that we discovered what type of material had been used.

“Given the family were in the grocery trade it made perfect sense to use the packing cases.

“We think of recycling as something new but it has clearly been happening for centuries.”

The property which has four bedrooms and three reception rooms still has its original wood flooring and there is a medieval passage that links the shop and the house.

Agents point out the shop brings in regular rental income and the house comes with a garden and parking space.

Number 7 Market Place is on the market for £545,000.

For more information, call Kemp & Kemp on 01865 510000 or visit kempandkemp.co.uk