A CAMPAIGN to raise funds for the construction of toilets in St Winifred s Church, Branscombe has been launched. Plans are currently being drawn up by an architect on behalf of the church council and it hoped the project will be off the ground in the next

A CAMPAIGN to raise funds for the construction of toilets in St Winifred's Church, Branscombe has been launched.

Plans are currently being drawn up by an architect on behalf of the church council and it hoped the project will be off the ground in the next 18 months to two years.

It is not yet known how much the environmentally-friendly toilets will cost but it is expected to be in the region of �25,000 to �30,000.

The toilets will have disabled access and will be constructed on the site of the old vestry on the west end of the church.

Sallie Herniman, church warden, said: "I think everybody's expectancy in this modern day and age is to have toilets.

"We have a lot of weddings and funerals here- some people travel for three or four hours and the first thing they ask me as church warden is 'is there a loo'?

"We have to send them to the village hall down the hill and then they have to climb back up again."

The church council hopes by having toilets in the building, there will be more opportunity for the church to hold different events.

Sallie added: "It will make it much more viable to have concerts and longer events in the church, such as day conferences. It would make a big difference."

It is early days for the fundraising campaign but the church council is planning to arrange a number of events after Christmas.

In the meantime a coffee morning, in aid of the project, will take place on Saturday, October 24 in the village hall from 10.30am.

Once the plans are drawn-up and the price has been confirmed, the church council also intends to submit an application for a grant to help the scheme along.

The project has already received the blessing of the diocese and Sallie hopes the support from villagers will match that of the support received several years ago when fundraising was taking place for a new church window.

She said: "The villagers rallied around with great support. We have a very good community here.