One of Britain's most prominent landmarks, Tenby's old lifeboat station and slipway, has had a stay of execution from demolition.

A public inquiry could now be needed to determine the future of the century-old structure after plans for its removal have been called in' by the Welsh Assembly.

Now that Tenby has its new Tamar class lifeboat and its magnificent £5.8million lifeboat house, the old facility is surplus to the RNLI's requirements.

The charity has now applied to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for planning permission to demolish the old Castle Hill structure, together with its slipway and access walkway.

But opinion is divided on whether it should remain.

Tenby Civic Society is supporting demolition, and has told the Park Authority: "The two stations together look cluttered and confusing."

The RNLI estimates that the slipway and red-roofed boathouse cost £6,000 annually to maintain - an expense that the charity does not wish to continue to incur.

The Civic Society added: "Leaving it decay will be visually ugly and damage the town's image, as well as being dangerous."

But the Ancient Monuments Society and the Victorian Society are both calling for its retention.

Because the structure is a Listed Building, it enjoys greater protection in planning law, and the Victorian Society has stated that the fact it is owned by a charity is not sufficient reason for demolition.

It is the Listed Building application for the demolition which has been called in' by the Assembly.

The plan was considered by national park planners at length in January.

It was resolved that Cadw be advised that there was no objection and that consent should be granted.

The Park has now been advised that the Assembly's minister for culture, Welsh language and sport has called in the plan.

Members of the development management committee were told in an officer's report on Wednesday that the minister "has concluded that the proposed demolition may not be fully justified, thereby conflicting with national planning policy and circular guidance".

"This may mean that a public inquiry will be held, but at this time, we do not know either whether this will be the case or, if it is, when such an inquiry would be held."