Leader of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, Councillor John Coxon, says that its application to register Ashby Town Hall market building as a 'community asset' gives protection for the building.

Cllr Coxon expressed his delight at the news and said it will now be secured for future generations.

"I am very pleased that the Town Council's nomination to list Ashby Town Hall Market as an asset of community value has been successful," said Cllr Coxon.

"The application has been considered by the assessment panel at North West Leicestershire District Council and it has confirmed that our application meets the asset nomination criteria and will now be listed on the District Council's Asset of Community Value list.

"This means that if the former Town Hall building is put up for sale within the next five years the Town Council will have a six week timeframe in which to decide whether to purchase market hall.

"If the Town Council decides that it wishes to do so then we have a six month window of opportunity to raise the full market value and to be considered as a potential purchaser."

"The Town Council hopes that this registration will give some protection to the future of Ashby Town Hall market. We will continue to work with Ashby Civic Society and other interested parties to secure the building for future generations of the town and its immediate area."