A FORMER headquarters of killer GP Dr Harold Shipman could be brought back into use as part of regeneration efforts.

The old Abraham Ormerod Medical Centre, in Burnley Road, Todmorden, which has been empty for years, has generated renewed interest.

Estate agents Ellisons confirmed that an offer is currently being considered for the historic building, next to the viaduct.

And a senior Calderdale councillor says the site, along with a neighbouring former cinema, is a key component of efforts to revitalise the town centre.

Coun Ian Cooper, Calderdale’s community services cabinet mem-ber, and chairman of Todmorden Town Centre Renaissance Partnership, is hopeful that the future looks bright for the centre.

He said: “I would love for it to become part of the Todmorden townscape, if not in its current form, then some other form.

“It is a grand old building but the state of it is such that it is unlikely it would be redeveloped as it currently stands.

“It is under offer but we would prefer it if it could be acquired by the council.

"But all of our enquiries to find out what is happening have come to nothing so far.”

Public exhibitions have been taking place for the renaissance partnership’s masterplans in the outdoor market, library and the Central Methodist Church.

The plans focus on Bramsche Square and include revamping the one stop shop building and creat-ing a new vista for the town hall, alongside the redevelopment of the Rose Street health trust offices.

Coun Cooper said that he was interested in extending the regeneration efforts to areas such as the medical centre and the adjacent former cinema, which was most recently home to a Netto store.

Dr Shipman worked at the medical centre from March 1974 to September 1975, when he resigned after he was caught abusing pethidine.

He was convicted of obtaining drugs by deception by Halifax magistrates and fined.

He was directly implicated in the death of Eva Lyons, in Todmorden in March 1975 and suspicions remain about his involvement in six further deaths.

Dr Shipman hung himself in Wakefield Prison in January 2004, after being jailed for his involvement in 15 deaths.