CONSERVATIVES in Leominster are poised for a period of change as the building that has been their HQ for almost a century is advertised for sale.

The Corn Square premises housing Leominster Conservative Association offices and the associated Rankin Club have been put on the market with a guide price of £800,000.

Future boundary changes will see a renaming of the Leominster parliamentary constituency as North Herefordshire, and constituency Conservative agent Andrew Barrand said it was not inconceivable that the party's HQ might relocate to another market town.

But he stressed: "A move from Corn Square is not a foregone conclusion. I know that the Rankin Club, the owners, are looking at all the options.

"The building has a good central location and it would be a real wrench for us to leave."

Mr Barrand said the rambling old building was expensive to maintain and he appreciated that the club had to look at other alternatives.

Named after Sir James Rankin, a former Tory MP for Leominster, the club houses skittle, snooker, lounge and bar facilities for members.

Estate agent Bill Jackson describes the building as "having a tremendous potential for redevelopment".

Club secretary John Beaman said: "We'll wait for offers to come in by July 29 and go back to members for a decision."