THE first sections of the historic Jubilee Hall could be coming out of storage in a Portland quarry and going to Poundbury by Christmas.

The Victorian hall, lying in pieces after making way for new shops in Weymouth, is set to stand as a centrepiece - this time at Prince Charles's model development.

Simon Conibear, development manager with the Duchy of Cornwall, said progress had been made since he started exploring the idea with Jubilee Hall trustees this summer.

He said: "We've had discussions with the trustees and we're considering incorporating the hall into a structure in Poundbury. We're looking to see if it's feasible. I think we're hopeful there's sufficient of the cast iron pieces to salvage.

"It's possible the structure could be delivered to Poundbury around Christmas."

Mr Conibear said it was hoped that the new hall would be built just off the Queen Mother Square, intended as the heart of the community.

He said: "We're not sure exactly what the hall would be used for but one idea is that it would be a food market."

The Poundbury hall would be smaller than the original Jubilee Hall, which went through many changes including a conversion into a cinema.

The building, which stood in St Thomas Street, was demolished in 1989 to make way for the new town centre but campaigners who fought to save it formed a trust and put it in storage at an open quarry site on Portland.

Mr Conibear said: "I remember the hall from stories in the paper about 15 years ago and I've always thought it could be re-used.

"I think it could fit in well at Poundbury. There's an element of recycled materials here such as roof slates on phase one. If it is feasible and it happens then it would be great."

He said earlier this year that the plan was to have a small covered food market where shoppers could buy fresh local organic produce.

He said: "It would be small - nothing to rival the big Dorchester market."

Hall trustee Geoffrey Poole said at the time: "I'd be thrilled to see it used again.

"We've had such a struggle to store it. Weymouth and Portland Borough Council didn't want it - they just wanted to see it gone."