YORK'S Red Tower is appropriately named.

Built in 1490, it is the only part of the city walls made of brick. The stone masons who built most of the walls were so angry about this they actually murdered one of the tilers working on it.

The tower's name comes from its colour rather than its bloody past, however.

It has been repaired many times, but hadn't been regularly used for years.

Until the Boxing Day floods, that is - after which it was used as a temporary storehouse and support centre for flood victims.

Now volunteers want to turn it into a full-time community space, with possibly a meeting room and even café.

What a good idea. This beautiful building found a new lease of life after the floods, and it will be great to see it being properly used in future.