Ledbury'S Market House faces closure following a decision not to install new stairs or a lift in the foreseeable future.

The town council is to seek legal opinion on its agreed policy of doing nothing in the face of incoming disability access laws.

The decision could lead to the Grade I listed building being shut to the public by next autumn, when the new legislation comes into force.

Mayor Keith Francis said: "I think we've made the right decision to investigate the legal position and it may be necessary to close the Market House to the public for a while."

However, former mayor Clive Jupp said he was disappointed.

"We're not proposing any change that will get disabled people in here," he said.

Closure would mean the town council having to find at least a temporary venue for public meetings.

The council's "wait and see policy" was welcomed by Barry Jenkins, of Bye Street, who put together an 8,500-name petition this summer against altering the Market House.

He said: "It's brilliant. I think if I hadn't set up the petition, with the help of Doris Mitton, we may have had a set of stairs on the outside by now."

However, David Turner, a member of Ledbury Access Committee, said: "Speaking personally, I think the council should put in a lift and not drag its feet.

"It's a legal requirement for there to be access for all members of the public to the Market House, because council meetings and weddings are held there."

Coun Jupp, who spoke in favour of a lift, said: "I believe that if we go down the route of barristers it will cost this council a lot of money.

"The lift is quite a cheap option. I do think it right that we should focus on providing access for people with disabilities, in the spirit of the law."

The new laws are expected to spark legal test cases nationally and there could be possible exemptions involving listed buildings, such as the Market House.

At last week's meeting, several councillors, including Jo Cooper and Martin Eager, threatened to resign if the council agreed to install a lift.