A HEREFORDSHIRE social club that once hosted Margaret Thatcher has had potential revamp plans approved by Herefordshire Council.

The Rankin Conservative Club in Leominster, that hosted the former Prime Minister during a visit to the county in 1980, submitted a proposal involving external and roof repairs to the listed building.

It has been approved on condition that special regard is paid to protecting the special architectural and historic interest and integrity of the building and the surrounding area during the work.

The proposals included repairing the front facade and roof and form part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ).

This includes a grants programme to restore key historic buildings/shopfronts and bring under utilised buildings back into use.

The building sits in Corn Square, which is the town's biggest community gathering point and the main site of the HSHAZ scheme.

Above the club are the offices of Conservative MP for North Herefordshire, Sir Bill Wiggin.

The proposal said that the impact of the proposals would be minor and are aimed at the future preservation of the building and its surrounding area.