AN ambitious project to turn Minehead's old hospital into an economic, cultural and community hub needs the help of local people to turn a vision into reality.

The Minehead Development Trust hopes to buy the Grade Two listed building in the heart of the town and develop its heritage as an attraction for both visitors and local residents.

But it needs public pledges of support for the project as it prepares to bid for Heritage Lottery funding.

The trust, which includes a raft of organisations from local councils and conservation and community groups to business representatives, has been working for more than four years to secure the site.

The building has been redundant since a new multi-million pound hospital opened on the outskirts of the town last year.

NHS Somerset, which owns it, has voiced its support for the plans to keep its use for the benefit of the community and has delayed actively marketing the property to give the trust time to develop its proposals.

Trust chairman Jenny Lennon-Wood said: "We are working hard to submit bids for Coastal Communities and Heritage Lottery funding in late spring or early summer.

"We now need public pledges of money to underpin our bid so that potential funders can see that the project has broad public blessing."

Ms Lennon-Wood said pledges did not have to be big.

"They can start at a pound, five or ten pounds.

"Of course, the upper end for pledges is limitless but we know that the current economic climate means raising funds isn't easy."

However, anyone pledging financial support has to be prepared to honour the amount pledged when the trust is ready to move forward with its plans.

Project leaders hope that the unique central location of the redeveloped hospital will act as a catalyst for social and economic revitalisation.

They hope it will be the base for a raft of key services, including a possible relocated library and a visitor information centre.

The trust has also been working with the Minehead Conservation Society to create a museum celebrating the town's history and, with the Regal Theatre, on a series of arts and entertainment ideas.

And to ensure the long-term viability of the development, the plans also include retail, office space and some housing.

The trust has previously won funding for feasibility work from a variety of sources and undertaken a substantial amount of work to demonstrate that the building can be developed as an asset for the whole community, as well as a much-needed all-weather attraction for visitors.

It has also secured the support of Julian Luttrell, whose family originally developed the building for the people of Minehead.

Minehead Chamber of Trade chairman Graham Sizer said without a doubt the most successful seaside resorts had under-cover for visitors to enjoy when the weather was not so good.

"Whether it's the pier at Weston-super-Mare, the Tate Gallery at St Ives or the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton - they all have interesting all-weather activities or entertainments which Minehead currently lacks," said Mr Sizer.

"The benefit of our proposals, as well as giving the town a vibrant centre for visitors, is that we are equally keeping the needs and wishes of our community at the heart of the project.

"It will be a fully accessible all-year asset for everyone. However, to make this massive project a reality we need to show that it has the backing of people in our community.

"This is a chance for local people to help transform the town centre for the better."

Pledge forms can be found online at http://www.somersetonline.gov.uk/MDT">www.somersetonline.gov.uk/MDT, from Minehead Town Council in The Parade, or West Somerset Council offices in Williton or Summerland Road in Minehead.

Completed forms should be sent to Ms Lennon-Wood c/o Amherst and Shapland, 4 Irnham Road, Minehead TA24 5DG.