PLANS to start essential work on a town hall have been given the go-ahead.

Burnley Council has approved a proposal to start ‘urgent’ works on Burnley Town Hall.

The council has identified that certain parts of the 130-year-old town hall, namely the roof, boilers and clock tower, require essential repair.

This will include refurbishment of the clock tower’s copper cladding and timber work as well as repairs to the slate roof, two chimney stacks located on the rear roof slope.

Some windows will be redecorated and replaced and gutters will be repaired.

The council has said the Grade II-listed building needs to be ‘protected’ and the works will help safeguard its future.

A Burnley Council spokesman said: “Repairs are needed to keep the town hall in operational condition.

“While it may not have some of the benefits of modern office accommodation, council staff are very proud to work here.

“It is an iconic Burnley landmark. It belongs to the residents of the borough, and we need to protect it.”

The council are currently waiting for a tender to carry out the works and so far the costs of the town hall repairs have yet to be determined, a spokesman said.

A council spokesman added: “The works currently in hand, and planned for the near future, relate to essential maintenance of the roof and boilers.

“These will be scheduled to ensure that there is no disruption to the operation of the council.

“Tender costs for the main roofing works are currently being evaluated, and it is likely that these will be phased over the next two to three years.”

Council leader Mark Townsend said: “It’s a place of work and it’s obviously a major heritage asset for the town.

“It’s important we look after our heritage assets and be aware that money has to be spent to maintain them.”

Cllr Gordon Birtwistle, leader of the Burnley Liberal Democrats, said: “If the building is falling to bits then the work needs to be done but it has to be done at a price that’s competitive and correct.”