The BBC is eyeing up two major Belfast sites which could become its new headquarters in Northern Ireland.

The broadcaster has taken on board commercial property firm Lambert Smith Hampton to seek out a suitable new home in Belfast

It's now looking at the former Sirocco site in east Belfast, and areas off Royal Avenue, according to CoStar News.

The BBC has been looking for a new base for some time, and there have been rumours in the last few months as to where it could make the move to.

That included speculation around a 'media hub' in the Titanic Quarter area in the east of the city, in a similar, albeit smaller vein, to its MediaCityUK base in Salford, outside Manchester.

Almost 3,000 staff are employed at that major development.

There had been reported negotiations with the BBC to become part of a 'creative hub' in the Titanic Quarter area.

The BBC's current main home in Belfast is at Broadcasting House on Ormeau Avenue.

Built between 1936 and 1939, it was opened with a low-key ceremony during the Second World War in May, 1941.

A spokesman for the BBC said it was still looking at “many different locations” based on “value for money” and “audience needs”.

But he said “no decision” had yet been made on location.

Belfast Telegraph