AN appeal to restore the iconic tower and clocks at St David’s Cathedral has received a timely funding boost.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority received a request for assistance from the Dean of St Davids as part of an appeal to raise the £150,000.

Building conservation officer Rob Scourfield said: “The Dean contacted the Authority for help in raising the money needed earlier this year at just the right time.

“Eighteen properties were granted funding in the last year, but unfortunately a few were unable to proceed with their projects, leaving as a surplus in the grant fund, which regrettably is in its final year.”

Members voted to allocate the remaining budget of £37,500 to the cathedral.

Authority chairman Cllr Mike James added: “We are delighted to be able to help restore one of the most iconic buildings in the National Park and hope this will encourage even more people to visit the area, to witness the spectacular built and natural history.

“We are also grateful to our colleagues at Cadw for their commitment to the scheme over several years.”

The grant scheme, which is funded equally by the Authority and Cadw, has assisted 417 properties with over £10.21million worth of funding across the National Park’s 14 Conservation Areas over the last 26 years.

The Dean of St Davids, The Very Reverend Jonathan Lean said: “I am extremely grateful to the National Park Authority for their tremendous support and encouragement; it is through their commitment to this project that we are able to begin work on the clock.

“I am hopeful that other support will also be available to reach our £150,000 fundraising target.”