A council has bought the four-storey former home of a weekly newspaper.

Worthing Borough Council has announced the purchase of Cannon House, which was home to the Worthing Herald until last year.

The Herald is now based at The Mill Building on Chatsworth Road, the same street as Cannon House.

According to the Herald, the council’s acquisition of Cannon House, pictured below, has been made “to generate a revenue return as well as promoting economic growth and inward investment in the town”.

It also “safeguards office employment accommodation in the town centre from residential redevelopment and conversion”, with the authority confirming a budget of up to £400,000 to refurbish the property.

A council officers’ report states: “By seeking to deliver the refurbishment, the council can deliver much needed high quality office space with the objective of setting a new standard for office accommodation in the town and an improved rental tone.

“The ambition is that the project will help kick start a renaissance in the sector locally and encourage private sector investment into office refurbishment projects, and new build office developments, due to improved viability and confidence.”