MP Dave Watts says he has secured an undertaking from the leaders of all three political groups on St Helens Council vowing to work together on a rescue plan.

Mr Watts has also written to council chief executive Carole Hudson urging her to work with the local Chamber of Commerce and local community groups to develop a plan for the building.

He said: "The council's involvement in the project is crucial as they both own the building and have the expertise to help come forward with a viable plan."

"It would be a tragedy if the building was left to decay and suffer damage from vandalism. It is crucial that the council moves quickly to safeguard the building especially since it has been awarded a listed status."

The building was listed in July, making plans to sell the building to St Helens and Halton PCT, who wanted to radically alter the structure, unlikely.

But groups using the building as well as the council's own service were told they can no longer use the Town Hall as their base. Since then it has remained empty.

Until recently, Newton Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society (NADOS) used to perform a wealth of plays on its historic stage, it was a base for several Helena Housing offices, it housed the local rates office and was used by many church groups.

At the end of July, the local community groups and the council services were forced to leave. Now it is only frequented by a church group, and campaigners to save the building say that they will be forced to leave by September.