Ledbury town councillors want a clear idea from the public of what should be done for the Market House to meet incoming disabled access regulations.

The public can view a shortlist of options at an exhibition opening next week.

Options include putting a lift into the building and three designs by Ledbury architects Stainburn Taylor will be on show.

Installing an audio-visual link, perhaps through the internet, so council meetings and other events can be viewed and interacted with remotely, is another idea.

The other option is to do nothing, in which case the Market House may be closed to the public if the Government is not persuaded that every effort has been made to adapt it.

Town clerk June McQuaid said the idea of a stair-lift had already been ruled out, because the nature of the 17th Century building did not allow enough space for installation.

The exhibition is at the town council offices on Wednesday (February 19), Thursday and Friday, from 11am to 2pm. It will also be open on Thursday from 7pm to 9pm and next Saturday from 10am to noon.

Following this, a parish meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 25, at the Community Hall, Lawnside Road, from 7pm, when public views will be sought on what, if anything, should be done with the Market House.

Mrs McQuaid said: "After-wards, councillors are hoping to have a clear idea of how Ledbury people feel about the Market House."

English Heritage has already indicated that it would not be opposed in principle to the Grade I listed, half-timbered building being adapted in some way, to meet the regulations.

A lift has already been installed into Ross's Market House but Mrs McQuaid said: "The Market House there is stone, and not quite like ours."

Architect Ian Stainburn's draft plans show separate suggestions for a lift into the space where the present stairway exists.

Mrs McQuaid said: "The plans are all centred on the area that will cause the least disruption to the building."

These plans will be on show at the public exhibition and for one hour before the parish meeting.

Mr Stainburn is also preparing a structural history of Ledbury's Market House for the display, showing how the building has been altered over the years.

For instance, the present wooden stairway into the Market House is Victorian, and originally steps are thought to have been on the outside of the building, an idea that could be revived if it is adapted.

The exhibition will also contain details of the disability access legislation, and its implications.