BRIDPORT'S Allington Hill extension appeal got a £5,000 boost from the town council this week.

Members unanimously backed a call from the Woodland Trust to pledge cash aid towards the £66,000 project.

At their meeting on Tuesday councillors were told that 11 acres of adjoining land, now on the market, would increase the size of Allington Hill by a third and secure its long-term future from development. By the public appeal to buy and manage the land, jointly sponsored by the Trust and the Bridport News, was still £30,000 short.

The Trust plans to integrate the two areas, encouraging native species to colonise the new land and creating more extensive habitats for indigenous wildlife.

Coun Tony Tiltman said the area had been his playground as a young child and he hoped people would support the appeal.

Council leader Roger Draper said the new extension would be a "great benefit" to the townspeople.

"We are investing in the future for the people of the town," he said. "We have to act."

Coun Carole Murless added: "This is a one-off opportunity and if we miss it we will regret it."

The council also supported a further grant of £1,000 towards the town's golden jubilee exhibition after hearing that the organisers had failed to secure lottery funding for the extra cash needed.

The display form June 1 - 9 would reflect 50 years of Bridport and, said Coun Tony Tiltman, would greatly benefit the public.

And, still in generous mood the council agreed to give £100 to the Dorset Arts Week project in Bridport which Coun Humphrey Dibdin pointed out brought a lot of visitors to the town.