TWO councils will be returning to their offices which were destroyed in an arson attack in January 2015.

For several years both Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils have been in temporary accommodation after a fire destroyed its original Crowmarsh Gifford offices.

Now they plan to build a smaller headquarters back on the torched site, which is owned by South Oxfordshire District Council.

Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, Matthew Barber, said the move offered the best value for residents.

Other options were explored, but John Cotton, leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, agreed it was the "right choice".

Both authorities are currently based at Milton Park, Didcot, where they moved six months after the fire.

The new building will include a council chamber for South Oxfordshire District Council's meetings.

Vale of White Horse District Council's committees will continue using The Beacon in Wantage.

Andrew Main, 47, from Rokemarsh, admitted starting the blaze at Crowmarsh Gifford and was detained in a mental health unit in May 2015.

He also admitted to setting fires which caused major damage to an undertakers and a thatched cottage.

Oxford Crown Court heard the estimated cost of damage from the fires was about £20m.