PORTISHEAD Town Council has recommended the approval of a grant of up to �20,000 to help preserve an historic building.

Members of St Nicholas Church are striving to raise �300,000 for a new roof, determined to preserve the building which forms part of Portishead’s heritage. The church was formerly the old Nautical School chapel.

St Nicholas aims to open its doors as a community facility for public functions, meetings and exhibitions, in addition to church services and events.

Over the past few years the people of Redcliffe Bay have lost their general store and post office and so church members are keen to create a community caf� within the church to provide an informal meeting place for residents.

They have already trialled morning and afternoon sessions which have been warmly received.