A HERITAGE centre celebrating the life of the distinguished Victorian clergyman the Rev Sabine Baring Gould could be built in Lewtrenchard.

The £250,000 development would include a museum bringing together many of the artefacts collected during the varied life of Baring Gould, plus an interpretation centre.

Baring Gould is perhaps best known for writing the hymn 'Onward Christian Soldiers', but he was also the author of hundreds of books and hymns, a collector of folk songs and stories, an amateur archaeologist and a great traveller.

The Rev John Hunwicke of Lewtrenchard feels the Baring Gould centre would be a great tribute to the man and said he was excited by the project.

Mr Hunwicke said visitors already came from around Britain and across the world to visit St Peter's Church at Lewtrenchard where Baring Gould spent much of his life and now lies buried along with his wife.

This development, as an extension of the church, would boost the number of visitors dramatically.

Mr Hunwicke was confident the project would ensure 'visitors will flock here in great numbers'.

The museum and interpretation centre would aim to bring all the treasures collected by Baring Gould and other major artefacts from his life together under one roof.

Mr Hunwicke said one example of an exceptional item relating to Baring Gould was a painting of a beautiful triptych, which the clergyman was very fond of.

He had passed it on to a friend and it was now housed at Buckland Abbey.

However, Mr Hunwicke said many people living nearby have their own historical items relating to Baring Gould.

'A lot of people around here have collected things, for example, the gown he wore and the desk he stood at when writing one of his books.

'I am sure an interesting museum could be brought together,' said Mr Hunwicke.

'I think many of us hope it could be part of the rejuvenation of the Devon tourist industry,' he added.

The legend of Baring Gould is already fully commemorated in Lewtrenchard with an annual Baring Gould trail walk around the parish.

The project is currently at the feasibility study stage, and it will be some time before full plans are drawn up.