Slow progress to repair one of Wales' most iconic buildings has been described as a “national disgrace”.

The Old Market Hall, a Grade I listed building in the centre of Llanidloes, remains closed after more than a year.

Llanidloes councillors have continued to raise concerns about the urgent need to repair a damp ceiling and rotten beams inside the 16th Century building.

Llanidloes Mayor Janet Crisp said the state of the building as it currently stands is “not fit for purpose” while former deputy mayor Councillor Edward Breeze said the situation was “not good enough and something needs to be done”.

Councillor Margot Jones insisted that more should be done to fix one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the country.

She said: “It’s a disgraceful situation. It is extremely important to Llanidloes for our economy and tourism.

“Powys County Council are happy to leave one of the most historically important buildings probably in Powys to decline, but we’re not. We are guardians of this building. We are pretty cross about it.”

Cllr Jones added: “It’s a national disgrace. I can’t understand why Cadw is not jumping up and down. It’s one of the most important buildings in Wales.”

Councillor Trudy Davies, who also runs several businesses in Llanidloes, said dozens of visitors to the town during the summer have been asking questions about the market hall.

“It’s so sad,” she said. “It’s a monument to Llanidloes and mid Wales.

“Powys County Council should not only look after it or tending it, but they should also be glorifying it. It’s such a brilliant symbol for mid Wales. I don’t understand where their commitment has gone for it.”

Councillors agreed to invite Powys Council’s chief executive and Montgomeryshire’s Welsh and Westminster Parliament members to attend a meeting and see the market hall.