Sir, The Old Gaol complex in Abingdon has been left to moulder since the removal of the leisure centre to new premises and the closure of the police station. Now it seems that it may be sold for commercial development. I appreciate that the Vale of White Horse District Council cannot take on alone the expense of refurbishing and maintaining this important part of Abingdon's heritage.

However, it would be a sad day for Abingdon if these buildings passed into private ownership and public access was denied. Surely the best way forward would be for the district council to seek a sympathetic commercial partner to develop the Old Gaol and the surrounding buildings for both private/commercial and community purposes.

The buildings have many possibilities for imaginative development and I appeal to the district council to make every effort to take this route. I am writing this from my temporary home in Vienna, where I am surrounded by beautiful and interesting buildings, most of which are well maintained and in constant use. We are not so blessed in Abingdon, and it would be criminal to lose one of the most interesting buildings in the town because of a lack of imagination.

Roberta Nichols, Vienna