VOLUNTEERS are a step closer to transforming an historic building that became a hub for help and support during the floods into a community centre.

The Red Tower near Walmgate Bar has not had a regular use for many years, and volunteers from The Incredible Movement (TIM) in York have been eyeing the structure as a new community space for around 18 months.

Last week councillors agreed in principle to lease the tower to TIM for a peppercorn rent, and the council has since confirmed that they are working on a formal agreement to let volunteers take over the 15th century building.

The tower itself flooded in December, and once the waters receded it was used to store cleaning materials, and became a centre for support as people came to collect supplies to start the mammoth recovery operation in their homes and businesses.

TIM's Imelda Havers, who has spearheaded the Red Tower project, said: "The floods have had a big impact, because the Red Tower was affected and then became part of the solution. It was a kind of focal point for help and support."

Once the lease is signed workmen will start installing basic services like electricity, water, and sewerage. Then the volunteers face a fundraising challenge to gather the tens of thousands it will take to transform the tower into a workable community space - with things like a small kitchen for community cafe events, and a meeting room upstairs to host local groups and even small business meetings.

Imelda said: "What's really important to us is that we end up with something the local community want, and will really benefit local people. The plans as they emerge will reflect the feedback we get from local people. We want people to be actively involved - that's going to be what makes it work."

She added: "We have had really great support from the city council, and from Historic England."

The Red Tower was built in 1490 and immediately became the subject of controversy when stonemasons objected to brick being used to build it and tried to sabotage the work by stealing their tools.

The work was completed despite one tiler being murdered, and it has fallen into disrepair and been repaired a number of times in the centuries since.

It is currently a Grade 1 Listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.