The cemetery is said to be an important part of Bristol's history

Arnos Vale Cemetery has been at the heart of a two-year legal wrangle since the previous owners announced plans to sell the site for development.

The council stepped in, under pressure from local residents, and has now formally taken ownership.

A trust fund has been set up to help with much needed repair work, and the 45-acre cemetery is one of two Bristol buildings bidding for salvation in the BBC's Restoration series.

We are in sight of our goal to save this special jewel in Bristol's historic crown Richard Smith Friends of Arnos Vale

A spokesperson for the city council told BBC News Online: "We would welcome any funding we can get as we are all working towards the same goal.

"The restoration cost for the cemetery is over �4.2m," she added.

A total of �3m is already in the pipeline from a variety of sources, subject to successful applications, including the Heritage Lottery Fund.

And money will also be needed for the long-term running costs of the cemetery.

The Arnos Vale Trust will now manage the cemetery, and once the initial restoration is complete, will be granted a 125-year lease of the site at a peppercorn rent.

Richard Smith, chair of the Friends of Arnos Vale, said: "This is really good news. We have waited a long time for this to happen and now we are in sight of our goal to save this special jewel in Bristol's historic crown."