AMBITIOUS plans to lift Ledbury's Market House for repairs to supporting pillars could be delayed.

The town council, which owns the building, is concerned about the considerable cost of the scheme.

Hydraulic jacks would support the 65-tonne building while the 13 decaying wooden pillars are treated. The 17th Century Grade I listed building would then be lowered into place and re-roofed. The work would take about six months.

Tenders from contractors have now been received by the council's finances and general purposes committee. These will come before full council next Thursday, but will be discussed in private session. The likely cost of the project is still to be revealed.

But town clerk Tessa Wildermoth said: "We need to assess the urgency of the work, as to whether it needs to go ahead this financial year. It's a large sum of money that we need to budget for."

The council's architect, Ian Stainburn will be asked for his opinion on when the work must be done.