A Lottery bid for £150,000 was lodged on Tuesday morning to secure money towards the planned extension of the Sheppard House day centre in Newent.

The Newent Association for the Disabled, which has submitted the bid, must wait up to six months for a response.

But the response is essential, before other vital funding can be sourced from other grant organisations. The project has been costed at £440,000.

Association chairman Colin Chave said: "It's a sensible thing, really, but a little bit frustrating. The smaller bodies like the Lottery to do all the hard work of vetting applications.

"I cannot blame people for thinking that we have forgotten all about our exciting plans. The truth is, we have reached the stage where a lot of hard work produces no immediate results.

"We have approached several other organisations that normally award smaller sums of money, and although their response has been quite encouraging, they do not wish to receive a formal application until a major organisation has made an award to us. Then, I am confident, we shall be able to attract the balance required very quickly."

Regulars, staff and friends of Sheppard House have managed to raise £90,000 under their own steam.

Fundraising activities have included a carols session around Newent, which raised £180, a sponsored Big Dipper ride at Blackpool, which added £750, and a sponsored silence, which raised £500.

The extension may have to be built in stages, beginning with two bathrooms for disabled or infirm people.

New bathroom units, which are likely to include underfloor heating, will be joined by a new conservatory to a new activity room. This will contain computers and give elderly and disabled people the chance to use the internet.

Services such as chiropody and physiotherapy will also be offered.