THOUSANDS of pounds set aside for the delayed renovation two Winchester landmarks should be used or spent elsewhere, a meeting heard.

The city council has wanted to revamp the Buttercross and St Maurice's Covert in the High Street for more than a year.

But a £40,000 preservation project was left rudderless when the expert officer hired to lead it left for another authority.

Repairs to the historic sites, currently in poor condition, involve complex licensing and heritage work, but Winchester Town Forum heard work to the Buttercross was progressing.

Simon Finch, assistant director for built environment, said: "It's not in very good condition. As a result of that the team has been working very, very hard with English Heritage."

There is money available for the work, he added.

Councillors also wants to clamp down on bins left in the covert by market traders.

None of the £40,000 set aside in 2013 has been spent, the meeting heard. Cllr Janet Berry said the money should be put to better use if nothing is decided soon.

The meeting agreed to restart a working group to address the issue.