THE next steps have been taken in restoring the Athenaeum in Warminster to its former glory.

Plans have been submitted to West Wiltshire District Council for a mezzanine level and a lift for the disabled in the historic Grade II listed building. Trustee chairman Tony Nicklin said: "We are calling it phase three of the restoration. The plans also include a partial demolition of some old parts of the building, which were added in the 1930s, and replacement with a whole new building. The total cost will be £75,000.

"It's a two-storey atrium complete with a lift for the disabled up to the first floor function rooms and the bar. This will help modernise this part of the building that is looking very bad at the moment. "Our priority is providing a lift for disabled access. At the moment we can get disabled people into the auditorium by going down a long corridor but they can't enjoy other social parts of the building like the function room and bar."

The Athenaeum is made up of two buildings, the original Athenaeum which can be seen from the High Street, and the Charles Bleeck Memorial Hall at the rear of the building. At the moment they are connected by long passages but under the new plans these would be demolished and replaced with the mezzanine floor.

The trustees are now facing a major fundraising effort to gather the £75,000 needed for the work.