WEYMOUTH'S Old Town Hall could be sold because the council has no current budget to tackle repairs.

The High West Street structure's roof and walls are suffering water problems and work to prevent damage is 'becoming increasingly urgent'.

Much of the historic listed building dates back to the 17th century and some parts might be earlier - but councillors will be told that repairs could cost £140,000.

Next Tuesday's Weymouth and Portland management committee must decide whether to offer the freehold rather than a 125-year lease at a peppercorn rental, a choice officers say is 'a key decision' because the sale would remove 'a significant financial burden from the council'.

Members are being recommended to agree remarketing the property by private treaty as a building with potential for conversion to a range of commercial uses subject to planning permission with freehold subject to a clawback on future residential development.

They could also offer a 125-year lease at a peppercorn rent permitting community or commercial use only with the best offer accepted or officers could report back all offers received if one or more community users submitted an offer.

A report to the meeting says that if there is no interest after four months officers would report back with a remarketing plan for the building and seek a budget to carry out remedial works in the 2009-2010 budget.

Other options officers are not recommending include retaining it as an operational asset but the council has no current need for reuse of the building, refurbishing and selling it but this would involve management and funding costs with resources not readily available and finally to permit residential conversion but the council's conservation officer said the listed building is unsuitable for this.

Officers say that the private treaty sale method including freehold is likely to create significant sale interest 'albeit only generating a modest capital receipt'.

They add that any tenant is not just required to keep the property in repair but to carry out works stipulated by the council within six months.