A structural survey has given hope of a positive future for the historic Paton's Mill building in Johnstone following a fire.

The survey, ordered by Renfrewshire Council following the fire on 14 April, has shown that the 227-year-old mill building is not as badly damaged as expected.

A visit by top officials from the Prince of Wales Development Network to discuss potential development opportunities for the site will still go ahead next month as planned. The visit is part of a £30,000 feasibility study into regenerating the mill being carried out by the Prince's Regeneration Trust on behalf of Renfrewshire Council.

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Most of the damage was contained within the older part of the building.

The results of the survey show that the building is damaged but is still intact and not in immediate danger.

The council has taken action to secure the site and to restrict access to the public. Officials are also in process of getting quotes on work to further protect the building from wind and water damage.

Renfrewshire Council has also served notice on the building's owner to recover the costs of these works.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Derek Mackay said: "We are really pleased that the structural survey which has shown that the building is not as badly damaged as we had first feared. This is great news which means we can go ahead with discussions with the Prince of Wales Development Network. In the meantime we are putting in place the necessary measure to protect the building as much as possible from any further damage caused by the weather.

"We are also following the standard formal procedure with the building owner to recover the costs of measures put in place by the council to secure the building."

(CD/GK)