Works to repair Dumfries' Midsteeple will cost �1.6m

The area around the prominent town centre building was cordoned off last year when the bell tower was removed due to public safety fears.

An initial bid to Historic Scotland saw it indicate it could give a little over �400,000 to the project.

Now Dumfries and Galloway Council has approached the Heritage Lottery Fund for further financial support.

A report to the authority's asset management committee has highlighted the progress made so far in repairing the spire.

Hopes have been expressed that tenders for the full works could be sought towards the end of this year and then submitted to Historic Scotland.

That would allow the works to start in February 2007 with a target for completion in February the following year.