INVERCLYDE Council property officials want to demolish a 170-year-old building at Greenock Cemetery and build a bothy for workers there.

They are proposing to knock down Ivy House, a two-storey structure beside the Blitz Memorial. A modern single-storey building with an office, canteen, toilets, showers and locker room, would be put up nearby. The project is expected to cost around £200,000.

Ivy House was built in Wellpark, Greenock in 1846 but relocated to the cemetery six years later.

A leaflet describing walks through Greenock Cemetery states: "The Ivy House was originally part of the Shaw Stewart estate. It was removed from the Wellpark in 1852, and became the lodge for the person in charge of the cemetery. It is now used for storage."

Officials state that the building is in very poor condition and add: "The existing size, layout and accommodation over two floors is also inefficient and not fit for purpose. The retention/refurbishment of the existing property would not represent value for money due to the substantial investment it would require to provide an extended life and bring into line with current building standards."

The application is pending consideration by the planning department.