Falmouth Parish Church’s project to provide vastly improved disabled access and carry out strengthening work on the bell tower, received overwhelming support when the plans were outlined at a public meeting.

The plans include better access for the church with a platform lift in the church tower, a new toilet facility, better access to the gallery and improved access to the bell tower. The tower itself is not stable, the exiting bell frames are rusting and in need of attention.

The scheme involves strengthening the bell tower with new steel frames and creating improved bell ringing facilities which would enable the bells to ring peals with ropes attached to the bells.

The hope is that the work, which is likely to cost in the region of £350,000, will be completed to coincide with the church’s 350th anniversary in 2015.

Around 60 people attended the meeting in the church hall when architect, Chris Smith, gave a presentation outlining the plans.

Mike Wycherley, the diocesan bells advisor, said the project had the support of the bell-ringing community across Cornwall.

After the presentations, the Rev Stephen Tudgey thanked all those involved and asked for a show of hands from those in favour of the project. Although not unanimous, there was an “overwhelming” response in favour.

The Friends of King Charles the Martyr Church will be working to raise the money needed and have already received a donation from Rick Stein and Jill Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant.