REPAIRS and improvements to an historic York building will cost more than £1 million.

A recent structural survey, commissioned by City of York Council, revealed that £1,222,700 was needed to keep the city's Guildhall in good order.

But council chiefs have recommended that only the "urgent work" should be carried out - costing just under £220,000.

According to their report, this is essential work that must be carried out to prevent the "immediate closure" of the Grade One listed building due to health and safety risks or a "serious breach of legislation".

Leader of City of York Council, Coun Steve Galloway said that given the financial situation of the council, he supported the officers' recommendation.

He said: "It is a listed building and has to be maintained in good order, but that doesn't mean that we have to invest money in it that isn't essential. We must remember that local government is strapped for cash.

"I think if officers have recommended that just the urgent work needs to be carried out, then this is what we should be supporting."

The work recommended by officers would include general building repairs and improvements to disabled access. Non-priority work that has been recommended for approval by councillors consists of upgrading the mains electricity and installing new power sockets.

Coun Galloway said: "Running and maintenance costs for old buildings like the Guildhall are very expensive and our long-term strategy is to move into new purpose-built offices in Hungate, where these will be much lower."

The Guildhall was completed in 1503 and is built of Tadcaster magnesian limestone, with a lead sheet roof set behind battlemented parapets.

The building suffered serious damage during an air raid in 1942, but after a major restoration programme, it was re-opened in June 1960 by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.