SUPPORTERS of Clevedon Pier have raised more than �20,000 toward new facilities in just three months.

In May, the Clevedon Pier and Heritage Trust launched a public appeal to help raise additional funds toward a new visitor centre, toilets and shop at the seafront landmark.

A total of �1.6million is needed for the project and bids have been put in for backing from national funding initiatives.

Following the project’s success in its first round of scrutiny, the Heritage Lottery Fund has now given trustees �22,000 to create a more detailed application to gain financial backing. A final decision on whether to award the scheme a total of �675,000 will then be made in November.

The pier trust also plans to make a second-round application to the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund in September for �750,000 and will find out in December whether it has been successful.

If enough money can be secured, work on the new facilities is due to start next Easter with the hope of completing the build within a year.

Following closer scrutiny of the designs for the scheme, some minor changes have been made to the plans. This means a new application may need to be made to North Somerset Council due to the fact the pier is a listed structure.

Pier trust chairman Simon Talbot-Ponsonby said: “We are going to have to resubmit at some stage. It is very minor but is because it is Grade I-listed.”