The owners of a dilapidated Clevedon hotel are being ordered to weatherproof and secure the building before winter sets in.

North Somerset Council says it is in the final stages of drawing up an urgent works notice to serve on the owners of the former Royal Pier Hotel at Marine Parade ordering them to make sure the building is weatherproof.

The notice gives the owners of the hotel – Royal Pier Hotel Developments - a set time period to comply with the work and if it is not done, permission for the authority to step in and carry out the work itself.

Despite previous requests to the owners to carry out the work over the past 12 months, nothing has been done.

Plans to develop the hotel into 27 luxury flats fell by the wayside earlier this year after the firm behind the scheme - Royal Pier Hotel Development - was placed in the hands of Bristol-based receivers Alder King.

The property was put back on the market earlier this year by Alder King and despite bids being made for the former hotel, the receivers rejected them, meaning the building remains unsold.

North Somerset Council spokesman, Nick Yates, said: "This notice covers work to make the building weatherproof to prevent further deterioration and does not cover repairs. If the work is not carried out we can step in to do it."

Council officers estimate the cost of the work to weatherproof and secure the building could be as much as £50,000.

The move to issue the notice follows mounting concern about the condition and safety of the building which has become a target for vandals and arsonists.

The hotel, once home to the Blitz nightclub, sits next to the town's Grade I listed Victorian pier which is a major tourist attraction.

Windows have been smashed, boards put over windows pulled off and some of the metal fencing around the building has fallen down.

The news that the issuing of the urgent works notice is imminent has been welcomed by pier bosses.

Clevedon Pier deputy piermistress, Mikhael Comerford, said: "It is a constant topic of conversation with visitors to the pier who are always asking when something is going to be done with the building."

If North Somerset Council is forced to carry out work to weatherproof and secure the hotel, it would recoup any costs from the owner.

Some of the costs of work could also be covered by a grant from English Heritage.