A BID to have Westhoughton's town hall and library "listed" has failed - because the type of building is too common. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport refused to grant listed status to the buildings. And during a debate at Westhoughton Town Council it has emerged that out of 23 listed buildings in Westhoughton 11 years ago, there are only six left.

The attempt to have the Carnegie Library, dating from 1906, and the town hall, dating from 1904, listed was instigated by the town council.

Councillors thought the Market Street buildings should be listed because of their special place in the Westhoughton landscape.

The History Workshop, which meets in the library, gave background information for the bid, but bureaucrats decided the buildings were not special enough after consulting with English Heritage.

They said: "English Heritage has commented that these buildings are of considerable quality and character, and clearly of local interest. However, a large number of civic buildings of high quality were built during the Edwardian period, and these buildings are not considered to be of the special architectural or historic interest required to warrant listing."

But town councillors say the civil servants are wrong and they will write directly to ministers.

Cllr David Wilkinson said: "What may be a general trend across the county has a special interest in Westhoughton. They form part of the main focal point of the town and help to create a sense of community."

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