Maryport hospital should become a listed building according to a councillor.

Councillor Carni McCarron-Holmes has asked Maryport Town Council to investigate the possibility of making the original part of the Victoria Cottage Hospital a listed building to prevent it from future demolition.

"It is one of the iconic buildings in town and the first stone was laid in 1902 to commemorate the reign of Queen Victoria Subsequent stones were laid by worthies in 1937.

"I worry that if it is not listed that sometime in the future it could be knocked down by a developer who cares nothing for the town and its buildings."

Maryport hospital no longer has inpatients. Despite a huge local campaign to save the beds, the Government-appointed Success Regime recommended closure although it still offers outpatient services and clinics.