Expensive repairs could be needed to old buildings on the edge of the Dorchester market site.

Recent storms blew tiles from the roof of the North Linneys into gardens in Great Western Road which back on to the area.

An inspection has now revealed that little is wrong with the tiles, apart from those which broke when they were ripped away, but the nails holding them in place have rusted through on some of the structure and are no longer up to the job.

To carry out an effective repair it is thought that all the tiles may have to be taken off, the underlying timber repaired or replaced where necessary, and then re-tiled.

A large section of the building, at the most westerly end of the buildings close to the Market Cafe, is now exposed to the elements.

The Linneys, which are in a Conservation Area, belong to Dorset Council and have been used in the past for covered stalls on market days but in recent years fell out of use and had been fenced off to prevent the area being used by rough sleepers and partying youngsters. In recent times much of the area has been daubed in graffiti.

There have been proposals to bring the North Linneys back into use by once again opening the area up to traders.

Said Cllr Andy Canning: "The nails have rotted through on the whole structure. Dorset Council will need to look at the whole roof…I hope they will take their responsibility seriously."

Markets committee chairman Cllr Molly Rennie told town councillors that it had yet to be decided what would happen next but, for the moment, the area had been fenced off for safety reasons, while the options are considered.

Cllr Robin Potter told Wednesday's joint markets panel that if no suitable use could be found it would be worth considering demolition, rather than repair: "If they are in the conservation area they don't make much contribution to it," he said.