THE field is down to four possible sites for new premises to replace a district council's out-dated offices and headquarters.

District council cabinet members in Easington, yesterday whittled the contenders for the location of a civic base down to the shortlist of four.

The existing complex at Seaside Lane, Easington Village, which would need rebuilding, survived the cut alongside the former Thorpe Maternity Hospital site, at Little Thorpe, the reclaimed site of the old Hawthorn Cokeworks and the ex-Thomas Brothers haulage depot, in Murton.

Councillors compiled a list of potential sites earlier this year and called for a feasibility study to look at their merits on a list of criteria, including access, existing land use, ownership, opportunity costs and any other planning issues.

Consultant Peter Schofield assessed each site, giving scores for suitability on each of the criteria.

Based on his report, cabinet members yesterday agreed to the shortlist of four, each of which will now be considered in closer detail.

Chief executive Paul Wilding said the council will consult widely to gain feedback from, "anybody and everybody", including its own community network residents' panel.

"We have a problem with the existing facilities, which already fall foul of disability discrimination regulations, and they're only getting worse. We regard it as urgent and we do want to make a move on this.

"We're not sitting about here looking at some sort of iconic location.

"There is a very real problem of buildings not meeting current legislation and the cost of making them comply would be completely disproportionate."

Mr Wilding said it could take four years for new council offices to be built, at an estimated capital cost of £10m.

The Seaside Lane offices were inherited from the old Easington Rural District Council when Easington District Council was established in 1974.

But the main building, The Board Offices, including the council chamber, date from the turn of the 19th Century