The Lottery Heritage Fund has provisionally awarded Hanes Llandoch (History of St Dogmael's) �350,000 for the development at St Dogmael's Abbey in north Pembrokeshire.

But the voluntary group must come up with another �100,000 by 31 December or the grant will be withdrawn.

Members have been staging fundraising events for the past three years and are looking to other organisations for grants.

The abbey itself is just fantastic and it sits in a basin so the acoustics are just amazing Treasurer Rosemary Davies

They are confident of hitting their target and hope a spectacular outdoor concert in June featuring Treorchy Male Choir from south Wales will give an added push to their efforts.

Hanes Llandoch was set up with the aim of providing visitors and local people with easy access and information about the abbey which dates back to around 1115.

Visitor centre

Treasurer Rosemary Davies said: "It was a very influential abbey and it is a fantastic ancient monument.

"Lots of people visit the area but there is nothing at all in terms of interpretation boards or from an educational point of view."

The plan is to transform the old Victorian coach house in the grounds into a visitor and education centre.

"We've been doing a lot of small scale fund raising events," added Mrs Davies.

The group is also confident of receiving aid from European Objective One funding, she said.

"St Dogmael's is an Objective One area and we have applied for funding to other organisations.

Shakespeare productions

"It's been a long and drawn out process - a bit of a slog for the last two-and-a-half years."

It is hoped around 400 people will attend the male voice choir concert on 28 June.

Every year the abbey plays home to Shakespeare productions but it will be the first musical event in the spectacular setting in recent memory.

"The abbey itself is just fantastic and it sits in a basin so the acoustics are just amazing," said Mrs Davies.