The monument in Castle Fields, Wellingborough, could be another step closer to demolition after council officers said taking it down was the best course available.

The bandstand has been repeatedly targeted by vandals and has fallen into disrepair, but supporters say it should be restored at a cost of £10,000.

However, campaigners say there needs to be clear plan of what the bandstand will be used for so it is fully valued by the community and does not deteriorate again.

Wellingborough Civic Society chairman Judith Thompson said: "The civic society does not want to see it demolished and we will be very upset if it is.

"It will also upset a lot of local people who have known it since they were young. It is of historic interest to the town."

The bandstand has been a topic of debate since resident Ian Marshall wrote to the Evening Telegraph in April to complain about how it had become rundown.

Mr Marshall said: "You can see there has been a total lack of respect shown towards what is one of Wellingborough's nicest architectural features."

The property had been damaged by fire and vandalism several times, which led Wellingborough Council to cover it with steel cladding in a bid to prevent further damage.

A council report said: "The costs of proper restoration are unclear and the value of undertaking such restoration is unclear. The estimated cost is £10,000 but it remains an option that the best course is demolition."

Cllr Paul Crofts said: "I would very much like to see it restored. We must explore ways to make it something useful and play a positive part in community life.

"If it is not used for anything it will inevitably deteriorate and become vandalised."

Cllr Crofts suggested one possibility would be to use it to showcase artwork, but he was also keen to hear other options.

Ms Thompson said the monument had been used as the focal point for community events in the past and there was no reason why it could not be used in the same way again.

Members of Wellingborough Council will discuss the future of the bandstand next week.

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