COUNCIL offices in Clitheroe are set to be spruced up after warnings that tiles and windows could be set to fall out.

A total £167,500 will be spent by Ribble Valley Borough Council on a re-roofing scheme and a further £88,900 on new windows at the Church Walk site.

The council's head of service Adrian Harper has said that 57 original timber-framed windows and nine rooflights are in need of replacing.

He has said that unless money is put used on the project now it will take a further 25 years to complete the work at the current rate of maintenance.

He said: "The timber beading that surround the glass panels in the original windows are deteriorating, in some cases have detached from the frames.

"This has the potential to present a health and safety risk to members of public and staff which use the car parks below.

"Some of the windows are ill fitting and allow draughts and leaks."

Money will also be spend on re-roofing the building after fears were raised that up to 155 tiles could fall off over the next three years if the work is not carried out.

A council investigation has revealed cracked cement, missing mortar, 25 slipped slates, and that lead ties are sticking out.

Adrian Harper, a member of the council's engineering services team, said: "As the appearance of the council offices forms the first impression to any visitors or residents of the borough, it is essential that they are maintained to a high standard.

"Overall the building is in a fair external condition, however, since construction in 1980 only minor repairs to the roof have been carried out.

"Following the survey of the office roof, in October 2013, it has been noted that there are a number of

slipped slates, missing slates and lead tie fixings already present on the roof, this suggesting that corrosion of the current fixings is present.

"It is recommended that the roof be stripped back, with a high percentage of the slates stored and reused, and a breathable felt installed with new battens and nail fixings.

"This will also provide some additional protection to the internals of the building, as an additional protective layer in the breathable felt will direct any penetrating water into the gutters."