PARISH councillors in Billinge have accused St Helens Council of destroying the borough's heritage.

The claim follows a decision by the borough council to demolish the original offices of the Billinge and Winstanley Urban District Council in Main Street, Billinge on economic grounds.

A spokesman for St Helens Council, told the Star: "The decision to demolish the old council offices was taken after a thorough structural survey revealed it would not be economically viable to refurbish the building."

But parish councillors claim that the large stone building, built in 1890, has been neglected since coming under the jurisdiction of the borough council in 1974.

Originally, it was planned to use the building as headquarters for the parish council but last year they moved to new premises in the Public Hall in Pingot, Billinge, because of safety concerns.

Councillor Norman Wilson, chairman of Billinge Chapel End Parish Council, said: "St Helens Council promised, in an honorary agreement, to maintain the building for our use, but over the years the building was neglected. The parish council would have liked to have stayed in the building but unfortunately in the end we had to move out. Because of the condition of the building, we had no alternative and we couldn't do any repairs because it was under the jurisdiction of St Helens Council."

In a statement issued by Billinge Chapel End Parish Council councillors said: "We have little heritage in St Helens and district, so what little we have let's preserve it."

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