HUNTINGDON Library is the only building of any distinction or architectural merit to have been erected in Huntingdon between 1959 and 1975, according to the town s civic society. It wants it listed as a building of special architectural and historic merit

HUNTINGDON Library is the only building of any distinction or architectural merit to have been erected in Huntingdon between 1959 and 1975, according to the town's civic society.

It wants it listed as a building of special architectural and historic merit.

By contrast, Cambridgeshire County Council, which owns it and acknowledges that it has some merit, wants to bulldoze it to make way for a better-equipped building and purpose-designed home for the old county's historical records.

With such divergent views on a piece of the district's recent building heritage, The Hunts Post wants to know what readers think about their public buildings.

Which should be blown up? And which should be preserved for posterity?

Perhaps you would wish to nominate one of the oversized sheds masquerading as an out-of-town shop. Or even one masquerading as an oversize shed.

Some may wish to preserve Huntingdon's disused water tower by the railway station, where plans are afoot to build glass-fronted office space atop it. Others might see it as a candidate for the ball-and-crane.

Are the town halls in Huntingdon and St Ives on your list of fine edifices? Is the Grand Cinema for preservation or, as Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership plans, for demolition?

Is the Old Bridge Hotel a significant Huntingdon landmark? Should the A14 viaduct be demolished to provide a better view? Do any of the district's churches have a special architectural appeal?

Barbara Richmond, chairman of St Ives Civic Society said the district had a wealth of older public buildings. "It's getting the new ones to blend in that's the real problem.

"There are a lot of complaints about new build being just copies. Everything has to have a gable end these days, it seems. But there is a rich variety in our villages and also in the towns if you look up above the shop fronts. But it would be nice to see a bit more artistry."

She contrasted the original 1980s Hinchingbrooke Hospital, "which looks like every other hospital of the period", with the newly-completed £25million treatment centre - "much more imaginative and lovely inside".

Her predecessor as chairman, Bridget Smith, was in no doubt about her nomination for the best structure in the district - the old and "new" (only 200 years old) bridges in St Ives and their associated buildings.

Many of the structures we have mentioned are already listed, so they should be safe from the bulldozer. But we want to know which you think are the best and worst public buildings in the area.

You can nominate up to 10 in each category by post to The Hunts Post, 30 High Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3TB, by e-mail to editor@huntspost.co.uk or on our websites www.huntspost.co.uk or www.cambs24.co.uk.

When we have your 10 favourite nominations in each category, we shall let readers vote for which buildings will receive a Hunts Post award.