EMERGENCY repairs are needed to Ledbury's 353-year-old Market House after storms caused damaged to the building.

Ledbury Town Council said some plaster had fallen from the building, completed in 1668, after storms on December 26.

The area had been cordoned off for safety, with a cherry picker being used for workers to repair the building tomorrow (Thursday).

Bruce Evans, engineering manager at Herefordshire Council, said Church Street outside the Market House would be closed for up to five days while repairs were made, but work should be finished in one day.

"The said closure is required due to urgent repair works being carried out to the Market House on or near the said road, and the likelihood of danger to the public while the works are taking place," he said.

"There are exemptions to permit pedestrian access, and/or vehicular access at the discretion of the Herefordshire Council or Ledbury Town Council, to any land or premises having a frontage to the above said highway affected where there is no other form of access; and to any access allowing the necessary works to be undertaken.

"The said closure will come into force on January 14 and will remain for a maximum period of five days, unless extended with the consent of the Secretary of State. However the works are expected to be completed within one day approximately."

He added: "The alternative route for those affected by the proposal is via Homend Crescent onto Bank Crescent and onto High Street."