BOVEY Tracey Town Council was asked on Monday why it had paid £95,000 for the Old Thatched Inn when Gilpins Demolition originally paid £40,000 for it.

Paul Beecher put the question during the public participation session saying the Old Thatched Inn was causing a lot of concern among residents.

The council bought the burnt out shell of the fire-ravaged pub towards the end of last year and intends turning it into a community building incorporating the information centre, council offices, a new larger council chamber and rooms available for community use.

The Station Road car park public conveniences would also be demolished and incorporated at the rear of the new building, with an anticipated cost for all the work of half-a-million pounds.