An inspection of Barnard Castle’s Market Cross is being carried out after complaints that is “uncared for”.
Part of the Grade-II listed monument’s roof has been damaged by passing lorries, moss has been allowed to grow unhampered and parts of the interior ceiling have fallen down.
The town’s volunteer group, known as The Workers, swept up bits of ceiling and generally tidied up the building last week.
Parts of the ceiling had previously been removed, but the section that remains has begun to crumble.
Group organiser and town councillor Roger Peat suggested the remaining bits of ceiling also be removed to reveal the rafters and upper storey floorboards exposed.
He added: “It looks better without it, I don’t think there is any reason to replace it.
“Half of it outside is covered in moss.”
Kevin Lough, interim head of corporate buildings at Durham County Council, said there is a regular schedule of inspections of the Market Cross and repairs are made as required.
He added: “We are aware the structure has suffered damage since its last survey and have arranged for an inspection following the concerns raised.
“Any repairs will then be carried out based on the results of the survey.”
The structure has severed a variety of purposes over the years including a jail, court, fire station and a market for farmers’ wives to sell butter, hence its nickname of The Butter Market.
Upstairs the Market Cross is hiding a number of weird secrets, Cllr Peat revealed.
He said: “It was also used by the town council. Then there is the mystery of the shield (coat-of-arms). I don’t know why it is up there. It is not Lord Barnard’s, but it is not the town crest anyway.
“Then there is the mystery of a small skull, it has been here as long as I coming in here.”
The skull sits in its own little spot above the small hearth.
