A GRADE I Listed historic tower near the centre of Tavistock could soon be restored to its former glory.

Betsy Grimble's Tower, which stands between The Bedford Hotel Car Park and the Parish Church Centre on Plymouth Road, was once one of four original gateways into the Tavistock Abbey from the west in the 1500s.

The abbey was abolished after Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in 1539 and over the next three centuries the abbey fell in to disrepair, including Betsy Grimble's Tower, which was listed Grade I in 1951.

Tavistock Town Council members have been in discussion with English Heritage and it appears an agreement was reached to register the monument as 'at risk'.

During the council's properties committee meeting last Tuesday, members agreed to endorse the application to English Heritage for a grant of up to £20,000 for condition surveys.

The condition surveys would advise members on what work could be carried out to the tower and associated monuments.

If this goes ahead, a second application to English Heritage, for funding up to £100,000, could be applied for. The money could be spent to undertake building fabric restoration works, including soft capping, repointing and drainage improvements.

If the second grant is approved it would be 80% funded by English Heritage and 20% by the town council.

Cllr Anne Johnson was the person to draw the council's attention to available funding from English Heritage. She said: 'During January I became aware that English Heritage had grant funds available which needed to be used by March 31.

'I have been keen that the town council makes progress with the work required to the Grade I scheduled monument Betsy Grimble's Tower, so asked our officers to make contact with English Heritage and see what might be possible.

'It's good news that we will be working with English Heritage to take the refurbishment forward, with grant funding from them to make it possible.'

'It's good news that we will be working with English Heritage to take the refurbishment forward, with grant funding from them to make it possible.'

Tavistock mayor Cllr Harry Smith said: 'As an authority, Tavistock Town Council has, over the recent past, made great strides, to secure for the future, an enhanced relationship with its heritage.

'I see this request as the first stage to achieving another part in the jigsaw of the rich heritage of the town.

'Betsy Grimble's Tower was listed Grade I in 1951 — once part of our great abbey it gives a great sense of town history to say a building was re-built in the 15th century.

'Partnership working is what the council has successfully achieved recently and again working with English Heritage, a commitment to the council of £20,000 means the tower and the town will benefit by at least £100,000 in investment by way of refurbishment.'

Chairman of Tavistock and District Local History Society Alex Mettler said: 'I think this is urgently needed — well done to the town council on doing this.

'It's been a long time coming and it's not in a good state of repair.

'I think this will fit in extremely well with what is going on at the moment in the town with the THI (Townscape Heritage Initiative).

'It's all going in the right direction.'

• Cllr Smith proposed that the committee support the recommendation and this was agreed by the majority. The decision was due to be ratified by full council on Tuesday evening.