Voting forms will land on the doormats of all 12,500 homes in Bicester from Monday in a referendum on the future of The Garth, a publicly-owned mansion house.

Bicester town councillors want to find out what residents think should be done with the building in Launton Road, which is in need of major repairs.

The Garth was given to the town in 1946 by benefactors and has been used as council offices ever since -- first by the former Bicester Urban District Council and from 1974 by the town council.

Dating from the 1870s, the building, which is not listed as being of historical or architectural interest, is deteriorating, despite a rolling programme of repairs.

After a recent structural survey of the house, councillors decided on four options for the building.

The options are: Rectify current defects to make the building safe and bring the second floor into use; demolish and build a similar style of building; demolish and build a completely new structure; retain the original front and side facades and build a new structure behind.

In the consultation paper, the town council comments that each of the options would improve the building.

If the house was rebuilt or extended, there could be a multi-purpose hall/function room and a museum gallery.

At an open day in September, 90 per cent of people were in favour of options two, three or four. Councillors prefer option four.

Councillors point out that they are only seeking approval for the concept of re-developing The Garth.

Householders are being asked to reply on Freepost questionnaire forms by February 28.

The results of the survey will be published in March.

Residents can get an idea of the proposals by viewing a computer simulation at The Garth between 10am and 5pm from Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on Fridays.