KIRKBY Stephen town council is considering dropping its insurance cover for the most identifiable monument in the town.

The high premium Kirkby Stephen Town Council pays to insure the cloisters, which features on the town logo, prompted members to consider the decision which would leave the council paying to repair any accidental or fire damage.

Town clerk Heb Lumley said it was a gamble.

The cloisters, a listed building beside the town's Market Square, consist of eight stone pillars supporting a shelter. It was originally built in the 19th century as a shelter and butter market.

In the last financial year, the council paid £1,247 for cover, but chairman Coun Shiela Haughey said: "This council is having to find ways where it can save money."

Eden District councillor Trevor Ladhams said: "If you weren't insured, and it was accidentally damaged by a truck and all the front of it came down, would you repair it? Where would you get the money?"

Coun Haughey said: "We've spent a large amount of money on the cloisters. The structure of it is amazingly sound and we can only take advice."

The council weighed up the pros and cons and decided to ask the insurance firm to come and check if the high premium it charged was correct for what is essentially a shelter.