A return to South Oxfordshire District Council's burnt-out headquarters near Wallingford is unlikely, leader John Cotton said today.

He spoke one year on from the arson attack that devastated the building in Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, the neighbouring Howard Chadwick funeral parlour and a cottage in the village of Rokemarsh.

Mr Cotton said an insurance settlement with insurers Zurich was still being finalised, and added that a formal decision about the future of the building had not yet been made.

But he said: "The chances are we are not going back. Have we made the final decision? No.

"But the likelihood of of going back is now near to zero.

"What happens will be a decision of the council and a report will go before the council in April or May."

South Oxfordshire District Council shared the building with Vale of White Horse District Council staff and they have now relocated to offices at Milton Park near Didcot.

Mr Cotton said council leaders were now considering a different kind of building to the one in Benson Lane and that would be more likely to be built on a different site closer to Didcot, although Howbery Park near the burnt-out HQ was an option.

The council owns the land at Benson Lane and if the council chooses to relocate it could be sold for housing.

Mr Cotton added: "Space is cheaper in Didcot. Ultimately we need to decide what is best value for the taxpayer.

"We need a modest building in a modest place that does what we want it to do."

SODC councillor for Wallingford Elaine Hornsby said she hoped the council would relocate its staff to Howbery Park, as this would be the best option for traders.