Wedding ceremonies could take place at Amersham's historic market hall if accessibility can be improved.

The 17th century grade two listed building is set to undergo a complete refurbishment, with broken brickwork and rotting supports on the bell tower due to be replaced.

Amersham Town Council, which owns the building, is looking into the feasibility of installing a lift into the market hall to improve access.

Should it be installed, the council would then consider whether or not to apply for a wedding licence for the venue.

Plans to fit a lift into the market were first mooted by the Amersham Society five years ago but nothing ever came of them.

They are now being looked at again with refurbishment of the building needing to take place.

Amersham's town clerk Janet Wheeler told the Bucks Free Press: "We have looked to put a lift in for some time. It would need to be approved by English Heritage and the Conservation Officer because we would probably have to take out one of the staircases, or at least re-do it.

"There are quite a lot of buildings around the country that are similar that have had lifts put in. We are hopeful that we can find a solution that works.

"It means the building would be more financially viable to operate and would improve its usage. It's something we do need to look at very closely."

Previous investigations have shown a lift would need to be installed at the west end of the building, as the stairs at the eastern end have to be retained for their historical significance.

The town council is currently looking into the availability of grants to help fund the works, prior to submitting a planning application.

Work is shortly due to start on replacing the supports to the base of the clock tower, which have rotted away. The council hope the bell can then be used again once that project has been completed.