THE search is on to highlight more of Nottingham's historic buildings.

Nottingham City Council and Nottingham Civic Society want to update the authority's "Local List" of buildings with heritage value to the city.

The list is primarily for buildings which may not meet national criteria to become a listed building, but have architectural or historical importance locally.

Civic Society trustee Alan Bates, co-ordinating the update, said: "We're looking for buildings that have not been judged quite good enough to be on the national protected list, but nonetheless Nottingham folk think are indispensable parts of the local street scene.

"There are a lot of late 19th- and early 20th-century buildings in the city that didn't make it on to the list before."

The most up-to-date Local List was drawn up in 1996.

Since then, a few of those buildings on the list have been promoted to Grade II listed status.

However, Mr Bates, of Woodthorpe, said there had also been "a few regrettable losses" from the list over the last 14 years.

In particular, he highlighted the redevelopment of the former Nottingham Evening Post offices in Forman Street, Nottingham, which are now home to the Cornerhouse complex.

"There was a lot of local feeling about that building and the fact that it was on the Local List didn't stop it being demolished," he said.

Nevertheless, in most cases, adding a building to the list could be the start of greater protection under planning legislation, Mr Bates added.

He nominated a row of terraced shops known as Forest Court, in Forest Road East at the Mansfield Road junction, opposite the city's Rock Cemetery.

It is believed that the shops were built in around 1905, with Mr Bates saying they have social, if not architectural, value.

"They are not on any list but I think that people would miss them if they went. It's that kind of thing we're looking to highlight," he said.

"There is an empty building which was a tea shop, and on the frontage there's a nice carved wooden door and a painting which advertises some sort of extinct bakers' flour. It's got original shop windows and other little details.

"If it is on the Local List it is at least drawn to the city council's attention."

Council officers updating the list have asked the Civic Society for help.

Councillor Alan Clark, city council portfolio holder for neighbourhood regeneration, said: "We recognise the importance to local communities of buildings which make their local area distinct.

"They are appreciated as local landmarks so we have enlisted the help, expertise and enthusiasm of the Nottingham Civic Society to assist us in updating our list of local interest buildings.

"Compiling the updated list will help us recognise the significance of more buildings across the city and the city's draft core strategy is the opportunity to extend policy support to the regeneration of the locally cherished historic environment."

The Civic Society is asking its members to make suggestions, giving a brief outline as to why it should be on the list and including a picture.

Suggestions are being complied by the society ahead of a final deadline on August 31.

For more information about how to submit a suggestion, contact Mr Bates on 0115 952 1555 or e-mail ja_bates@ntlworld.com.