A GRANT of £2,500 has been approved by Tavistock Town Council to help with major heating difficulties at the parish church.

During the full council meeting last month, members decided to assist St Eustachius' Church with funding of a replacement boiler, after hearing how the existing boiler was no longer functioning to its full potential.

At the end of November 2013, the boilers at the church were condemned unfit for use during an annual safety inspection. But in December, just in time for Christmas, the heating system was temporarily repaired by the insertion of a special chimney liner.

Members agreed to support the grant due to the work that the church and its parishioners play in relation to the town's functions throughout the calendar year.

Tavistock mayor Cllr Harry Smith said: 'There are around ten to 12 events held at the church that are not religious and I am amazed at the varied events held at the venue and the sorts of things they organise.'

Deputy mayor Cllr John Sheldon said that the church was a main focus of the town and appealed for councillors to support the application.

He said: 'It's a social centre to this town — it supports us at Christmas and on Dickensian Evening and I ask that people support this grant.'

One member was against approving the grant due to the figures he had seen of the church's accounts.

Cllr Brian Trew said: 'I propose to reject the grant on the grounds that the funds are not required.

'The account of St Eustachius' Church shows the amount they hold — this is not a poor organisation.

'When an organisation has as much money as this, we shouldn't support the grant.'

In response to Cllr Trew's comments, Cllr Mandy Ewings said: 'The money may belong to the diocese and maybe it isn't accessible to the church. The church runs from its collections.

'I think we support the grant as the church is more than a religious venue, it hosts social events, band concerts, weddings and christenings.'

The priest-in-charge of Tavistock, the Rev Michael Brierley, said, 'We're aware that the parish church is used by the local community for a whole range of functions, and we try and keep it as comfortable as possible.

'This grant is a very real help in addressing our recent major heating difficulties, and we're immensely grateful to the town council for their assistance.'