SCHOOLCHILDREN could use Melksham's historic cricket pavilion for extra classroom space, as the future of the historic building looks more secure.

The building's long-term prospects looked in doubt after vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage in September, just three months after it was opened.

However, governors at nearby Lowbourne Infants School have offered to take the building on to provide extra space for pupils.

The historic pavilion is owned by West Wiltshire District Council but managed by a board of trustees.

The building is leased out to Beanacre Cricket Club and Melksham Town Boys Football Club. They use the building's changing rooms for their home games but the building is only used at weekends.

The £168,000 needed to renovate the building, which was officially reopened in June, came from money raised by a fundraising drive earlier in the year, which included a National Lottery grant.

The district council has been trying to offload the site, with Melksham Town Council considering whether to take it on.

A working group set up earlier this year has been looking at the financial costs and problems involved in running the building in St George V playing fields.

Melksham town councillors gave the idea of schoolchildren using the building their full support at a meeting on Monday.

Cllr Terri Welch said: "The feeling was that it could be a good thing."

Cllr Ian Cardy said: "It is an excellent thing for them to become a tenant but not become a trustee and hold the lease. I don't think the lottery would accept them as leaseholders. But I think the town council is able to become trustees of recreational buildings."

Town councillors agreed the idea of Lowbourne Infants School becoming a tenant should be sent back to the working group to allow further discussions to take place.