Campaigners are calling for help as they have just 12 days to secure a historic town centre chapel as a heritage, arts and cultural centre for the community.

The community of Newport, Pembrokeshire, wants to buy the 19th century Bethlehem Chapel as a heritage, arts and cultural centre for the west Wales coastal town.

The Grade II-listed chapel in Upper West Street, built in 1855 by Joshua Morris, is on the market for public auction on August 30.

The community wants to buy the building and convert it into a thriving, innovative and inclusive heritage centre, with the local Welsh language, history, maritime, and culture at its heart.

The aim is to preserve the spirit of old Newport to interest, inform and involve present and future generations to enjoy a strong sense of belonging ‘cynefin’ through involvement with it.

But time is of the essence; The public auction to sell the chapel is on August 30 and the volunteers are now looking for supporters to lend bridging funds to ensure the community hold on to the important and much-loved chapel and vestry building in the town centre.

Following a well-attended meeting in the Newport memorial hall the community project group has been working very hard trying to gather names to support the acquisition of the chapel for community use.

Having failed to negotiate an exclusive agreement to allow the community to purchase the chapel, there is now a need to raise £150,000 in the next 12 days.

The community group already has some funds from generous private lenders who have agreed to give a short-term loan until a community share offer can be launched. But there is a need now to identify additional private lenders.

The private community lenders will receive competitive interest on their loans, larger lenders will also have a legal charge on the building.

There is also an option to apply for the EIS Tax Relief scheme from HMRC to allow UK taxpayers to receive 30 per cent tax relief on the amount they lend or invest.

The local community development charity, PLANED has been supporting the community group in Newport.

The coordinator at PLANED, Cris Tomos said: "There are great examples of community-minded private lenders in Wales and from all over the UK who have ensured important community buildings are kept in the hands of local custodians.

“The Newport Bethlehem project has a very short window of opportunity to buy the building but if there are individuals or families that would wish to become involved or to know more then they should contact the project team on the email below "

If you could be one of these community lenders, or know anyone who could offer the Bethlehem community group a lifeline to retain the building for community use email: capelbethlehem@gmail.com or phone 07804487642. People can find out more by visiting the community website at www.canolfanbethlehem.cymru