THE views of Tavistock residents could be sought on the future use of the Guildhall and the adjoining old magistrates court, if police decide to relocate from the historic building which has served as their police station for more than 150 years.

A public meeting could be held to allow local people to express their views on the future use of the Guildhall and old magistrates court.

Tavistock police have no imminent plans to leave their Guildhall base, but a move in the near future is considered likely.

The high cost of maintenance work and of meeting new disabled access criteria has meant the police authorities estate manager is looking into the options for the Guildhall and possible alternative sites.

The maintenance of the adjacent former magistrates court building is also proving costly for the Police Authority.

Tavistock is the second oldest police station in the country, having been constructed in the 1840s. Its sale cou ld raise a sum of up to £350,000 for the Police Authority.

Insp Nick Rogers, based at Tavistock police station, said: 'There are no formal commitments at this stage, but the building will not service the needs of future policing for ever.'

West Devon Borough Council discussed the future of the Guildhall buildings at its strategic development committee meeting, on October 9. Councillors discussed a report which advocated co-operation between the Police and local authorities to discuss the options if the police do move and put the Guildhall up for sale.

Cllr Pat Warne said: 'The Guildhall is in the middle of Tavistock's civic heritage centre. We must try to protect it.'

Possible options for the Guildhall include establishing a police museum or selling to a brewery for use as a pub, though the latter option was not favoured by many councillors.

West Devon Borough Council said as a local authority, it recognised that the Guildhall was an extremely important civic building, the future of which ought to be thoroughly discussed.

The report states: 'Despite all the problems, these buildings are so important and in such a prime location, it is felt vital that the issues are carefully examined by all authorities if the owners, the Police Authority, are prepared to see that happening.'

The report said that the first priority, whatever the end use of the Guildhall and old magistrates court, would be to ensure that the buildings are kept in a good state of repair.