ASSETS will have to be sold to pay for a local authority's controversial new £4.5m headquarters, council chiefs have admitted.

The statement from Richmondshire District Council came as the authority announced details of a third meeting to decide how to fund the new offices in Colburn.

Two previous meetings had to be abandoned when hundreds of residents turned up, angry at plans to sell two car parks and existing offices in Richmond.

Richard Dunn is the deputy leader of the council and new chairman of the council's resources committee, which will decide on funding for the headquarters.

He said assets would 'undoubtedly' have to be sold, but said the full details would not be known until the meeting. "It's certain that the move to Colburn is going to happen. Our current offices, including 33 Frenchgate and Swale House will no longer be needed when we go to Colburn.

"The car parks are also some of the assets that members will have to consider when looking at the funding.

"But nobody has yet heard what members have to say, and until we hear what they say we won't know what they will find acceptable."

About 850 people turned up to the last meeting of the resources committee held at Richmond School in March.

This time the committee will meet at the Zetland Centre, in Richmond, on Wednesday, June 22, at 6.30pm.

Mr Dunn said: "We are pleased the Zetland Centre is available.

"The centre offers disabled access, audio facilities and will comfortably accommodate 280 members of the public.

"In view of the outcome of the two previous meetings, we will be making arrangements to ensure only that number are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.

"We are giving notice now of the date of this meeting and will publish the papers well in advance."

Richmond mayor Stuart Parsons, who has campaigned against the move and sale of assets, said: "A decision has to be made and this meeting means we can move forward.