Council bosses are to look at taking over the leasehold of Clydebank's shopping centre.

West Dunbartonshire Council's (WDC) infrastructure, regeneration and economic development committee will be asked to back further enquiries into the cost and benefit.

Clyde Shopping Centre is currently on five separate ground leases from the council, expiring in 2103, with an option to extend to 2151.

The current leasehold was bought by Cerberus in 2015 and they have approached the council to consider buying it.

Council officers said it would simplify the ownership structure and better control over the centre.

They said this could help regeneration and increase leisure and food provision.

The report states: "Direct ownership would allow WDC to adopt an active approach to manage the asset to arrest the decline in income.

"The current leaseholder does not appear to be willing to invest in the centre long terms and this will have a significant impact going forward."

Read more: Clyde Shopping Centre bosses want out

Council bosses also state there are councils in England and Wales who have used this approach to take control of declining shopping centres to "proactively transform and re-energise their town centre".

The same report also recommends the adjacent former Play Drome be demolished by taxpayers rather than a future developer.

WDC had agreed to sell the former sports centre for £3.9m back in December 2016, with an agreement Henry Boot Developments Ltd demolish the site.

But the deal collapsed earlier this year and the council will have to pay empty rates until any future sale.

Councillors will be asked to back demolishing the Play Drome so the land can be re-marketed for mixed use.