ONE of Huddersfield's most splendid Victorian buildings is earmarked for sale - as part of plans unveiled by the Yorkshire Building Society.

The society wants to move its 25 staff at two town centre branches to a single site.

The plan is to take over the Burtons menswear store at the corner of New Street and Cloth Hall Street.

That would mean closing and selling the imposing Britannia Buildings in St George's Square and the other town centre branch at the junction of King Street and New Street.

The Bradford-based society has submitted plans to Kirklees Council.

If the proposals are approved, the Yorkshire hopes to open at New Street/Cloth Hall Street early next year.

It would mean a move to new premises for Burton.

Britannia Buildings, which runs along one side of the square opposite the George Hotel, was for many years the headquarters of the Yorkshire's forerunner, the Huddersfield Building Society.

The building - topped by a statue of Britannia and covered in fine stone carvings - remained the society's main branch in the town centre when the society became the Huddersfield and Bradford and then the Yorkshire.

A society spokesman said the cramped King Street branch had become busier since the opening of the Kingsgate Centre two years ago.

In contrast, Britannia Buildings was under-used by customers and no longer suited present-day needs.

He said: "The King Street store often has people queuing out of the door.

"Some of our older members will be sad if we leave Britannia Buildings, but it is no longer in the right place. Disability access is via a lift at the back of the building.

"The building would benefit from new ownership."

Mike Staniland, estates surveyor for the Yorkshire, said the Burton site would comfortably accommodate the 25 staff and provide room for expansion.

"The ground floor alone is twice the size of the King Street branch," he said.

If the plan is approved, the society will seek buyers for Britannia Buildings and the King Street premises.

The spokesman said Britannia Buildings could be converted to provide high quality apartments and ground floor restaurants and bars.

The King Street branch would most likely be taken by a retailer.