The green light has been given for up to £283,000 to be spent to fix the leaky roof of Norwich's City Hall.

Norwich City Council bosses said 'major repairs' are needed to the waterproof layer on the roof of the Grade II* listed building.

Councillors today agreed that authority should be handed to officers to award a contract for the work - and to get it started while the weather is good.

Officers said, in a report which came before members of the Labour-controlled council's cabinet: 'It has been patch repaired over the years, but a more permanent solution is now required.

'Water is leaking through the asphalt into the concrete roof structure where it is tracking along the heating pipes in the ceiling, causing them to corrode and leak water from the heating system.'

The council wants to install a modern roofing system and increased insulation over the main roof of City Hall and the council chamber.

Officers said that will make the roof weather tight and will be guaranteed for the next 20 years. They say it will also help cut heat loss.

And applying a new membrane will mean the council no longer has to re-apply solar reflective paint every two to five years.

Officers warned: 'If work is not carried out there will continue to be revenue costs due to continued patching, re-coating of solar paint and repairs to office space as and when the heating coils fail.

'The roof will continue to deteriorate at an accelerated rate causing increased disruption to employees on the third floor, and therefore disruption to services.'

A pot of £283,000 is available for the work, although council officers anticipate it will not cost the full amount.

Paul Kendrick, cabinet member for resources said the cabinet needed to delegate authority to officers so they could get the contract awarded as quickly as possible. He said: 'We want to fix it while the sun shines.'