The flax mill could be bought by the council

Local councillors decided to issue two urgent works orders to the owners of the flax mill in Ditherington near Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

The owners, Maltings Developments, must make the builder weather-proof within 28 days and carry out other essential repairs under the orders.

If they fail to comply with the orders Shrewsbury and Atcham Council and English Heritage have the right to seek a compulsory purchase order from the courts for the site.

The future of the mill has been up in the air since English Heritage's bid to buy the site collapsed in July.

The 18th Century flax mill, which has been derelict for a decade, was a forerunner of the modern skyscraper.

Maltings Developments, owned by Richard Capp, bought the mill in 2000 and announced multi-million pound plans to transform it into a residential and retail development.