Fife Council and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) have announced that the plans for CRT to buy the town house in Cowdenbeath have been put on hold.

Sarah Roxburgh, community manager for Cowdenbeath, said: "Following a lengthy period of community engagement, investigation and preparation work, Fife Council and Coalfields Regeneration Trust regret to advise that the plans for the purchase of Cowdenbeath Town House, and the provision of a Community Shop, have been withdrawn.

"This is due to a number of factors outside of our control, and the ever increasing economic uncertainty and change. We will continue to work in partnership to deliver community projects and initiatives throughout the area."

Pauline Grandison, Head of Operations – Scotland for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust said: “We are disappointed that due to factors beyond our control, including the current economic uncertainty, we are unable to go ahead with our original plans for the Cowdenbeath Town House.

"Fife Council and Company Shop are valued partners and we continue to work with them to build prosperity and opportunity in former coalfield communities.

“We already deliver a number of programmes in the Cowdenbeath area including our Game On Scotland football programme, our Coalfields Worx employment scheme as well as providing funding for local community groups.

"We would like to reassure people in Cowdenbeath that our existing projects will continue and that we are committed to expanding our work in the local community as and when suitable opportunities arise.”