AN important deadline for the sale of an historic building in the centre of Abingdon has passed.

The deadline for bids in a 'market testing exercise' to buy Old Abbey House, on Abingdon's Abbey Close, was last week.

Bidders include property developers but also The Friends of Abingdon Civic Society, which wants to renovate the building for community use. Civic Society spokeswoman Hester Hand said the group has been awarded a grant from the Architectural Heritage Fund which will allow it to compile a case for making its plans viable.

Vale of White Horse District Council will discuss the sale at the start of December.

A petition calling on the council to keep the building in public ownership or for community use has been signed by more than 1,600 people.