A TUDOR building is being considered for restoration purposes by Princes Risborough Town Council.

The dovecote, in St Dunstan's Park, Monks Risborough, is believed to date from the 16th century and is a listed building.

It was used in former times to catch pigeons.

The birds would fly in through holes in the roof, which were built in such a way that the pigeons could not escape. It was then easy for villagers to catch the pigeons for food.

Chairman of the town council David Allworth said that it was a good idea to look at the restoration of an amenity.

He said: "Since I've been on the council, for 20 years, it's always been a problem area. It has been damaged quite a lot by vandals.

"We're now hoping someone can come up with plans so we can find a community use for it."

The dovecote currently has railings around it to protect it from vandalism.

Francis Gomme, rural officer for Bucks Community Action, is hopeful that the vandalism can be stopped through a community project.

He said: "It would be a good idea to get schools involved in a project to find out more about it.

"Then it could be taken on as a real community building.

He added: "If there was a real sense of ownership, that might deter the vandals."

The dovecote has been the subject of restoration work already.

It was donated to the town council in 1967 in very poor repair.