Residents in Workington are relieved after Allerdale council stepped in to make a town centre building safe.

The authority used its dangerous structure powers to intervene on the state of the roof at the old Opera House on Ladies Walk.

Kath Goodwin, chairman of St John's Ward Residents' Association, said: "If we got more high winds that whole roof would have just come off.

"You don't want bits of metal roof to be flying about where people walk.

"The council followed the right procedure and have taken on board our concerns.

"It's what we want our council to do."

The structure of the former theatre has long been a concern for residents who have questioned its safety.

Building control inspectors have assured residents all ground-floor entry points to the building remain sealed.

They ask people to avoid entering the building without the owner's consent, for their own safety.

Tiffin Lane has been closed and residents are asked to avoid the lane.

An inspection was carried out by Allerdale council under its dangerous structure powers and the authority said it would be in touch with the owners of the building.

A spokesman said: "Allerdale council's building control officers have today been out to inspect the old Opera House building on Ladies Walk/Tiffen Lane in Workington, after concerns were raised about the condition of the roof. Some work was carried out on the roof structure to make the building safe."

Kath said the move was long-awaited.

"At long last, I know residents at meetings had raised concerns about the health and safety dangers posed by the building.

"It's a shame that the old Opera House was allowed to fall into such disarray, some of our residents would want to see the building made safe or demolished, obviously there's nobody coming along to take it over as it is, as I think it's beyond salvageable, so something needed to be done.

"The councillors who come to the meetings have helped in taking steps to make sure something was done, everybody seems pleased the council has now stepped in."

In December, the owners of the building, PGC Demolition, had been served a notice by Allerdale Borough Council, asking to clean up the site.