Council leaders have agreed to keep investigating the possibility of purchasing a Norfolk pub building that had been threatened with demolition.

South Norfolk Council's cabinet has given the green light for officials to carry on discussions with Graham Scott, owner of the Kings Head Inn in Pulham St Mary, near Diss, and which has been closed since 2007.

Last October Mr Scott lost a planning bid to have the building demolished so 18 homes could be built on the site.

The application had led to a petition being set up by residents to try and save the pub as a community run asset.

Following the planning committee's rejection Mr Scott had then asked the council if it wanted to compulsorily buy the building, which he had said was not viable restoring as a pub.

The council's cabinet recommended officers should continue to seek discussions to purchase the premises.

Should an agreed valuation be obtained, authorisation would then be given to buy the site on the condition that a back to back agreement be formed with an appropriate community-led body which would recompense the council for the cost of the purchase.