CAMELFORD Town Council has moved a step closer in its aim to purchase St John Hall.

As previously reported in the Post, St John decided to place the hall on the market, asking for offers in the region of £45,000. After discussion, the town council placed a bid of £80,000 but a higher bid was also made.

Since then, the highest bidder withdrew their bid, and the council was contacted by the vendor to see if it was still interested.

The council was still keen to purchase the hall, located on Clease Road, and retain it as a community asset, so the process was set in motion.

A structural survey has been organised and, following an extraordinary meeting of the town council on Monday morning an application has been made to the Public Works Board for a loan to cover the £80,000 offered. The survey is expected to be carried out in the first week of July.

Mayor Cllr Rob Rotchell said he was delighted with the recent progress: "The councillors have spoken to a lot of people and the general view was that many still thought it was owned by the town so to bring it back into the town ownership is very positive for Camelford.

"We just need to make sure that it's not about to fall down or it's not going to cost us a huge amount to put right. Should the structural survey prove satisfactory then we will be able to proceed."

There are a number of options available to the town council for future use of the hall, including providing a 'home' for some facilities and services.

Cllr Rotchell said: "There are a number of services currently offered in Camelford that are at risk. We, as a town council, wouldn't want those services to leave the town."

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.