THE historic pump rooms at Tenbury Wells have moved a step closer to being transferred to a new owner - the town council.

The grade II listed building is currently owned by Malvern Hills District Council but members of the executive committee have agreed a transfer to Tenbury Town Council.

The district council has been keen to secure the future use of the rooms - built for visitors to drink the town's spa water - following the move of its area office to Tenbury Library in Teme Street. It began negotiations with the town council last December.

A report to the executive committee detailed the district council's intention to complete internal decoration as part of restoration work following last summer's flooding.

District councillor and former Tenbury mayor Phillip Grove said he thought the district council's decision would be good for the town.

He said: "I think it is marvellous for Tenbury that it will go into the hands of the community.

"It is a generous gesture by the district council."

Town clerk Mrs Pat Buck-ley said: "The town council wants to go forward with this and we are working through the contractual details at this stage."