Two new proposals for adapting the Market House to meet new disabled access laws are being seriously considered by Ledbury Town Council.

They include installing a two-stage stairlift or putting a discreet lift alongside the existing Victorian stairway, an idea originally suggested by Ledbury rector Colin Beevers, who has a background in engineering.

Of the two, the stairlift idea is the one that has received most interest from the council.

The idea was originally discounted because it was thought there was a problem with headroom unless 17th Century timbers could be cut.

"English Heritage would not be happy and the architect would walk away," said Coun Clive Jupp, "The frame is all important."

However, deputy mayor Jayne Roberts, who has a background in nursing care, was asked by the council to investigate as many types of chairlift as possible. She has come to the conclusion that it might still be technically feasible, without cutting the timbers.

Coun Roberts has proposed using two chairlifts - one going up to the midway platform and the other taking over from there - to take account of the sharp angle in the stairs. However, a disabled user would need a helper to manage the transition from one seat to another.

Further consultation with English Heritage has revealed that it does not want to see the Market House closed because of the new laws, which will come into force in October 2004. It has also raised concerns about the suggestion of adding a lift to the Grade I listed Market House and an external staircase on the north face.

So far, the town council has spent £1,743 on architectural investigations into the options and a further £4,000 has been agreed as investigations continue.

More could be required if the council goes ahead with a mock-up of the discreet lift, to assess exactly what impact this would have on the building.

Original timbers would not have to be cut for the installation of a lift alongside the existing stairway.