A �60,000 bid to improve West Hill Village Hall was given a �500 drop in the ocean helping-hand by cash-strapped town officials last week.

A �60,000 bid to improve West Hill Village Hall was given a �500 "drop in the ocean" helping-hand by cash-strapped town officials last week.

Ottery town council has unanimously backed the project, which involves the complete refurbishment of the premises' toilets, as a "worthwhile cause" but can only fork-out �500 towards it in this financial year- villagers had asked for �7,500.

Treasurer Paul Lewis said a late grant application had limited the amount the council could pledge as it had already handed out all but �1,000 of funds availalbe to support local groups and projects this year.

West Hill villagers have already applied for more than �40,000 from other sources to fund the project and councillors felt a failure to back the bid with a pledge would "prejudice their prospects" of securing the cash.

Fundraisers were encouraged to apply for more money later this year. The �500 grant will only be handed over if other funding is secured first.