SEATON Town Council has announced plans to move to new offices and take on more assets for the town.

SEATON Town Council has announced plans to move to new offices and take on more assets for the town.

The council has called on East Devon District Council and Devon County Council to transfer a number of assets back to the town.

To date, EDDC has agreed to transfer Elizabeth Road playing field (including the Scout hall, martial arts hall and the children's play area), Cliff Field Gardens, the picnic site at the top of Seaton Down Hill and the flowerbed at Fisherman's Gap.

Mayor Sandra Semple said: "The current town council has taken the view that it must think not only of the short-term in Seaton but also the long-term - not just for its current residents but also for future generations. This Town Council intends to ensure that the town will be less dependent on others for its community life in future years."

The council hopes to move out of the Town Hall, which is owned by EDDC.

Town Clerk David Mears revealed the council plans to buy Willoughby House in Fore Street.

He said: "Seaton Town Council is desperately in need of more office accommodation as it is extremely limited in its current location at the town hall.

"With new bespoke premises it will be able to hold all council meetings on the ground floor, which will truly open its meetings to every sector of the community."

He said the council could also extend its opening hours to 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday. It is expected that the former house of May Clapp will also be used by the public.

Most of the town's assets were lost when Seaton Urban District Council disbanded in the mid 1970s.