The cost to knock down Carlisle's crumbling Central Plaza hotel would be about £1m, says a council chief.

Jane Meek, director of economic development at the city council, says she believes the cost could run into seven figures.

Ms Meek still hopes a buyer can be found for the hotel on Victoria Viaduct, which is in a serious state of disrepair.

Its current derelict state has led to key city centre roads being closed off around it and traffic and pedestrians diverted over safety fears.

Ms Meek said: "We still hope a developer can be found.

"We are very relaxed about alternative uses and from a planning point of view we are very flexible.

"It is an historic building and discussions have to take place with Historic England.

"If it were ever to be demolished I would guess it would cost about £1m."

The hotel, which is a grade-II listed building, is next to the historic city walls.

Colin Glover, leader of Carlisle City Council, has previously said the council does not have the financial resources to knock down or renovate the hotel.

He said: "If it were to be demolished then you have to wonder what you do with that site.

"Below the lower floors you can see the old city walls so it's beside an historic monument. It is incredibly complex."

City demolition expert Sean Dixon said it would take four months to complete with 15 men working on the site.

Mr Dixon, boss of N.Dixon & Sons at Cotehill, near Carlisle, told the News & Star: "If we were to demolish it then I would do it by hand.

"I would take the roof off first and then demolish the floors inwardly.

"I'd say we could probably get it down by two to three feet each day.

"It wouldn't be too difficult a job to get it down to that level but it would be more complex with the floors and the road below."

It is not owned by the city council or the Crown Estate but is subject to a legal process called escheat, a term given to a property that has become ownerless.

A spokeswoman for The Crown Estate said: "Escheat law does give The Crown Estate the ability to sell properties which are subject to escheat back to a private owner, who would be able to manage the property.

"We recognise that this would be desirable and will work with interested parties if approached."