Battle to save Bridgwater's historic workhouse

Residents and councillors in Bridgwater are furious the town's historic workhouse in Northgate is about to be knocked down.

Somerset County Council wants to build a school on the site and claims the building can't be used.

Supporters don't pretend the old workhouse hospital is a thing of beauty, but they've hit back at the council for setting aside the views of 28 local organisations who all want the building saved. They also claim the consultation they've been offered is a sham.

The Civic Society has a record of thousands of people who were in the now demolished workhouse. And its emerged 30% of the inhabitants died there, the highest percentage in Britain.

Somerset County Council says the building is full of asbestos and the rooms are too small so it's no use for a 420 pupil school they want to build there.

As a result, demolition is due to start at the end of January unless last ditch meetings can save the building.